On January 25, 2026, Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and former president, expressed concerns about the potential growth of the 'nuclear club'. He stated that the upcoming expiration of the New START treaty, which imposes limits on the nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia, could lead to more countries pursuing nuclear weapons for their national security. Medvedev indicated that the lack of a U.S. response to Russia's proposal to extend the treaty heightened worries about nuclear proliferation, given that both nations hold a substantial portion of the world’s nuclear arsenal. In his interview with Kommersant, Medvedev highlighted a pessimistic view on global stability, claiming that the increasing rifts in the world order prompted certain countries to consider acquiring nuclear capabilities as a means of self-defense. He mentioned that many nations possess the technical capacity to develop military nuclear programs, some of which are actively exploring this path. The situation has raised alarms over the future of non-proliferation, which he deemed under significant threat due to current geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts, especially in light of Russia's military actions in Ukraine. Medvedev warned that, while nuclear weapons can escalate conflicts, they also serve as a deterrent, potentially stabilizing relationships between nations. He expressed that humanity has not found a reliable alternative to nuclear capabilities for ensuring security and sovereignty. His comments came as a response to potential U.S. policy shifts and the anticipated expiration of the New START treaty, which had successfully contributed to ameliorating the arms race since its signing in 2010. As the February 5, 2026 deadline approaches without a U.S. response, Medvedev underscored the urgent need for negotiations to prevent a destabilizing arms race. Reflecting on public opinion, recent polling indicated that a majority of Americans, including Trump supporters, favored maintaining or reducing nuclear arsenals through new agreements. Still, the realities of international politics and the potential for arms expansion raise significant concerns regarding global security in the coming years.