Pope Leo XIV has called on the United States of America and the Russian Federation to extend the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which is set to expire on February 5, 2026. He emphasized the importance of this document for ensuring international security and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Importance of Extending the Treaty
Leo XIV reminded that the current treaty, signed in 2010 between the USA and Russia, was a significant step in controlling the spread of nuclear weapons and contributed to strengthening global stability. The pontiff stressed that the expiration of this agreement could pave the way for a new arms race, which poses a serious threat to peace worldwide.
“Renewing my encouragement for every constructive effort towards disarmament and mutual trust, I urge not to abandon this tool without trying to ensure its concrete and effective implementation,” said Leo XIV.
Positions of the Parties and Current Situation
In February 2026, for the first time in over half a century, the nuclear programs of the USA and Russia may remain without quantitative restrictions if the treaty is not extended or replaced by a new agreement. The Kremlin suspended the treaty in 2023 in response to US support for Ukraine, and Washington responded with similar actions, effectively freezing the implementation of the agreements, although the treaty formally remained in force.
On February 3, Kremlin representatives stated that the expiration of the treaty represents a “dangerous” moment, emphasizing that the world could find itself in an even more vulnerable position. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed that both countries adhere to the main provisions of the agreement, which include limits of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads from both sides, for another year. However, no official response from the USA was received. President Donald Trump reacted positively to this proposal, but further negotiations did not progress, and the US State Department refrained from commenting on the future of the treaty, redirecting questions to the White House.