The SALT II treaty marked a pivotal moment in U.S.-Soviet relations during the Cold War, reflecting a mutual desire to manage nuclear arsenals while avoiding direct military confrontation. The negotiations, which began in the early 1970s, involved detailed discussions about various categories of nuclear weapons systems. The key elements of the treaty included limits on the number of strategic nuclear delivery vehicles, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles and bombers. SALT II was an attempt by both nations to move towards reducing the chances of nuclear conflict and to stabilize a volatile international landscape.

Signed in Vienna, Austria, on June 18, 1979, the treaty was a product of high-level diplomacy between Jimmie Carter and Leonid Brezhnev. The agreement included a ten-year duration with specific guidelines for implementing the arms limitations. Despite its significance, the treaty faced numerous challenges, particularly once the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan occurred in late 1979, which inflamed tensions between the two superpowers.

The ratification process in the U.S. Senate was complicated by domestic opposition and geopolitical developments. While Carter urged for the treaty's approval, many senators expressed skepticism, leading to a slowed legislative process. Ultimately, although SALT II was signed and many elements were observed by both nations, it was never formally ratified by the U.S. Senate, which limited its enforcement and long-term impact.