• Russia intends to observe New START limits following its expiration if the U.S. does the same.
• New START expired on February 5, leading to fears of an unconstrained nuclear arms race.
• Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov remains cautious about U.S. compliance with treaty limits.
• Past negotiations hinted at possible informal extensions and future talks on nuclear arms control.
• The inclusion of China in future treaties remains a contentious topic in U.S.-Russia discussions.

Russia has asserted its commitment to adhere to the limits of the recently expired New START nuclear arms control treaty, provided that the United States does the same, as reiterated by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He remarked, “The moratorium announced by our president will remain in effect, but only as long as the United States does not exceed the aforementioned limits,” speaking to the lower house of Russia's parliament Channel News Asia, India Times, Los Angeles Times, and CBS News.

The New START treaty, which lapsed on February 5, signifies a historical moment as it marks the absence of any binding nuclear limitations between the world's two largest nuclear powers for the first time in over 50 years. Lavrov's assurances raised concerns globally about the possibilities of a renewed nuclear arms race, as both nations navigate the prospect of future arms control agreements amidst mounting geopolitical tensions Al Jazeera, Channel News Asia, and India Times.

In response to recent negotiations, Lavrov characterized Russia's position as one that balances responsibility and scrutiny over U.S. military policies, implying a wait-and-see approach. “We will closely monitor how things are actually unfolding,” he indicated, stating that Russia's commitment depends on the behavior of the United States going forward Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

Discussion regarding the future of nuclear arms control continues within the U.S., particularly with the emphasis placed on including China, which has publicly rejected the idea of participating in trilateral talks. Moscow has reiterated that if negotiations involve China, the inclusion of U.S. allies like the United Kingdom and France should also be considered, as both possess significant nuclear capabilities Al Jazeera, India Times, and CBS News.