Topic: 2026 – Proliferation of Ballistic Missiles
Country: Russian Federation
Delegate Name: Aishwarya Ramisetty
Topic Background:
The Proliferation of Ballistic Missiles refers to the rapid increase of systematic weaponry spread throughout varying locations, thus allowing many countries as well as non-state actors to gain access to said weapons. This problem is seen to typically occur in areas around the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and East Asia, impacting the people of each region as they are within risk of potential dangers caused from the mass destruction of the missiles.
This problem originated after Germany’s creation of the V-2 missile, which was invented to harm their enemy, specifically London, during World War II. Countries had produced nuclear weapons during World War II with the fear that an enemy would attack them first.
Past International Action:
The United Nations has taken initiative to the growing situation of the proliferation of missiles through the Hague Code of Conduct, that was made specifically to limit the production of items that can lead to mass destruction. The Security Council has also taken into account that there are many transports of unrequired ammunition, thus creating the Resolution 1540. This resolution aims to reduce the support given to non-State actors, and helps in the prevention of terrorism.
However, it is important to take into consideration that some of these solutions have not been mandated thoroughly. The Hague Code of Conduct is a non-legal binding treaty, and can thus cause countries, such as China and Pakistan, to not be required to follow with the goals and objectives of the resolutions.
Country Policy:
The proliferation of ballistic missiles has impacted the Russian Federation through numerous causes. Russian forces have suffered with the loss of around 1 million injuries and deaths of soldiers in the necessary military operation currently in place with Ukraine.
These problems have arisen solely due to the creation and production of nuclear weaponry by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Russian Federation, alongside the United States, has also signed the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) on April 8, 2010, which was meant to reduce the manufacturing of nuclear arsenal and limit deployed weapons.
However, the treaty expired February 5, 2026; The Russian Federation will continue to test their created warheads if the United States chooses to test as well. The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, stated himself that “if the United States or any other state party to the Treaty was to conduct such tests, Russia would be under obligation to take reciprocal measures” (Kashchenko 2026).
Possible Solutions:
Connecting back to the New START Treaty, the Russian Federation is working to continue on with the ideology of limiting the growth of unnecessary weaponry, as long as the United States is willing to take part in this as well. It should also be taken into consideration that China and North Korea have also been growing significantly in their nuclear arsenal. China has more power economically in the trading aspect over North Korea, so the Russian Federation requests for both countries to reduce their productions of weaponry. By promoting mutual nonproliferation, further problems can be avoided.
Sources:
https://press.un.org/en/2022/gadis3686.doc.htm
https://www.iiss.org/research-paper/2024/12/ballistic-missile-proliferation-and-the-rise-of-middle-eastern-space-programmes/
https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/deterrence-and-defence/ballistic-missile-defence
https://education.cfr.org/learn/timeline/history-nuclear-proliferation
https://www.hcoc.at/sites/default/files/documents/HCoC-III-Decision-EN.pdf
https://disarmament.unoda.org/en/our-work/weapons-mass-destruction/un-security-council-resolution-1540
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-nuclear-weapons-treaty-us-new-start-latest-putin-trump/
https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/international_safety/regprla/2055214/
