WASHINGTON: The United States and Russia are closing in on a deal to observe the New START nuclear arms control treaty beyond its expiration on Thursday, Axios reported, citing three sources familiar with the talks. The New START treaty, which set limits on each side’s missiles, launchers and strategic warheads, is the last in a series of nuclear agreements dating back more than half a century to the Cold War. Negotiations had been taking place over the past 24 hours in Abu Dhabi but an agreement had not been reached, Axios said, citing an additional source.

A top Kremlin official has warned that if the New START treaty expires without a replacement, the world should be alarmed that the biggest nuclear powers have no limits for the…

The treaty expires on February 5, 2026