Arms Control in Transition: A Comparison of Treaty Compliance in Russia and Ukraine After the Dissolution of the Soviet Union

Yining Gong*

This Note examines how Russia and Ukraine, despite inheriting similar treaty obligations regarding arms control, exhibit both convergent and divergent behaviors in treaty compliance, raising questions about the nuanced impacts of historical legacies and geopolitical realities.  Following the Soviet Union’s dissolution, successor states assumed a broad spectrum of international legal commitments, including obligations under key arms control treaties such as the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).  This Note provides a comparative analysis of how major successor states like Ukraine and Russia have inherited and managed their arms control responsibilities in the post-Soviet era.  It investigates how each state’s unique political landscape, historical legacies, and relations with global powers have shaped its approach to these treaties.  By focusing on compliance patterns in the areas of strategic arms reduction and conventional weapons, this Note uncovers the challenges faced by successor states in reconciling their Soviet-era legacies, contemporary security concerns, and evolving international legal frameworks.  The comparative analysis aims to enhance the understanding of the ongoing effects of state succession on arms control compliance and highlights the impact of international organizations and geopolitical pressures on shaping the strategic behavior of these states.

*J.D., Columbia Law School 2026