The expiration of the New START Treaty in February 2026 left the United States and Russia without binding limits on strategic nuclear arsenals for the first time in decades, prompting renewed diplomatic focus on a successor framework. Recent mid-level talks have continued on the sidelines of multilateral forums, with the next round scheduled in New York this month, while U.S. President Trump has reiterated calls for trilateral negotiations that include China. Russian officials have described any agreement as requiring lengthy expert preparations and have signaled openness to voluntary adherence to prior limits during talks, though differences over Ukraine, verification, and the scope of reductions persist. Upcoming events such as the November APEC summit offer potential venues for higher-level engagement that could influence prospects for progress before year-end deadlines.