This call came on the eve of the expiration of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which will end on February 5.
The UN characterized this situation as a "bleak moment for peace and security."
The Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, noted: "The gap in decades of achievements could not have occurred at a more unfavorable time — the risk of nuclear weapon use is currently the highest it has been in recent years."
Nevertheless, the organization believes that even in the face of uncertainty, there is an opportunity to rethink approaches and create an updated arms control system.
The UN Secretary-General's representative also pointed out that the leaders of Russia and the United States understand the destabilizing consequences of the nuclear arms race and the importance of preventing a new round of uncontrolled nuclear weapon proliferation. In this regard, the international community expects concrete actions from both countries.
The New START Treaty was signed in 2010 for a period of ten years and has been extended once — until February 5, 2026. This treaty limited the number of deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550 and provided for a system of mutual inspections and notifications. After the treaty expires, these mechanisms will cease to be in effect.
