United States approves five-year extension of nuclear weapons treaty with Russia

The State Department announced on Wednesday a five-year extension of the new START ballistic missile treaty, tightening the limits on U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons delivery mechanisms until 2026.

The treaty, which was due to expire later this week, secures the limits of land and submarine ballistic missiles as well as heavy bombers. It helps monitor Russia’s compliance while providing “better insight into Russia’s nuclear posture, including through data exchange and on-site inspections that allow U.S. inspectors to keep an eye on the forces and Russian nuclear facilities, “according to a statement from Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The secretary, installed as the country’s top diplomat last week, said the New START extension foreshadowed new efforts on nuclear proliferation. The United States, Blinken said, “will also continue arms control to reduce the dangers of China’s modern and growing nuclear arsenal.”