On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military to invade Ukraine, a significant escalation in the Russo-Ukrainian War that has simmered since 2014. Since February, the Russian military has struggled to achieve Putin’s initial objective of capturing Ukraine’s capitol, Kiev, and overturning its government. As the invasion drags on, Putin has increasingly resorted to nuclear saber-rattling, in an apparent show of force against the NATO-aligned forces staunchly supporting Ukraine.
This paper outlines six practical options that non-nuclear weapon states could pursue to reduce nuclear risks amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The options were developed based on interviews with nuclear policy experts from around the world. They reflect priority areas where government investment could have the most near- to medium-term impact, as well as the tools and channels through which these efforts could be advanced.
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This paper outlines six practical options that non-nuclear weapon states could pursue to reduce nuclear risks amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The options were developed based on interviews with nuclear policy experts from around the world. They reflect priority areas where government investment could have the most near- to medium-term impact, as well as the tools and channels through which these efforts could be advanced.
New START, the last remaining arms control treaty capping U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, expires on February 5. This marks the beginning of a dangerous new era. For the first time in several decades, there will be no limits on nuclear weapons, less visibility into Russian nuclear weapons activities, and fewer tools to manage a crisis between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.
Unless the United States and Russia agree to maintain limits on their forces, the world will enter a period of potentially unconstrained nuclear build-ups.
NTI encourages the United States and the Russian Federation to continue to abide by New START’s limits on intercontinental-range nuclear weapons past its scheduled expiration on February 5, 2026.
View information and analysis of nuclear weapons disarmament proposals and progress worldwide, including detailed coverage of disarmament progress.
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