United States: The US President has insisted that Russia must now show that it is ready to work with the US on nuclear weapons control. According to US Vice President Joe Biden, Washington is now ready to cooperate with Russia on negotiations for a new nuclear arms control agreement that will replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (also known as "New START"). The second is due to expire in 2026.
The US president said Russia should now show a willingness to participate in renewed discussions on strategic arms control with the US, noting that such an effort would require "a willing partner acting in good faith". Is.
Biden, however, argued that Beijing, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, should also participate in discussions aimed at limiting the size of the nuclear arsenal. Beijing isn't the only party Biden wants to see at the negotiating table. POTUS argued that China should take action to address the problem of "destabilizing military mobility" and reduce the likelihood of a tragedy caused by an error in judgment.
While Tehran has repeatedly said it has no interest in acquiring a nuclear weapon, Biden also mentioned efforts by his administration to do so. POTUS brought on a US effort to reopen talks on reviving the Iran nuclear deal, which had stalled in 2021 after initial efforts. However, after making some progress in March 2022, talks broke down again.
START has been extended after China refused to participate
The US was negotiating an extension of the new START treaty, which was about to expire, when the Donald Trump administration attempted to persuade China to sign a nuclear arms control agreement. Beijing rejected the offer, pointing out that its nuclear arsenal is much smaller than Washington's.
New START, which was originally signed by Russia and the US in 2010, was on the verge of disintegration when the White House halted all expansion discussions in response to Beijing's refusal to participate. The agreement, which was initially due to expire in February 2021, was extended as a result of discussions between Moscow and the Joe Biden administration. The new end date for START was set for February 5, 2026.
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