President Trump calls for establishing a new nuclear agreement.
Immediately after the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) – the last nuclear arms control agreement between the world's two leading military powers – officially expired, US President Donald Trump called for its replacement with a new treaty, rather than extending the old restrictions on Russia.
On the social media platform Truth Social, President Donald Trump took a tough stance just hours after the New START treaty expired.
"We should let nuclear experts work on a new, improved, and modernized treaty that can endure into the future," Trump wrote.
This statement is a direct response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's earlier proposal to extend the treaty for another year to allow more time for negotiations. The expiration of New START means that, for the first time in decades, the massive nuclear arsenals of both the US and Russia are no longer bound by any legal control mechanisms.
Although Trump did not specifically name the countries that would join the new treaty in his post, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt confirmed that negotiations with Russia would continue.
Previously, the US President had repeatedly expressed the view that China – a country possessing a rapidly developing nuclear arsenal – should be part of any future agreement. However, on February 5th, the Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated its position that it would not participate in such trilateral nuclear arms reduction treaties.
On Moscow's side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed regret at the expiration of the treaty. He said Russia was ready for dialogue if the US responded positively to President Putin's proposal, while emphasizing that Russia would maintain a "responsible, thorough approach to nuclear stability," but "it will be guided first and foremost by national interests."
Amid concerns about the risk of an arms race, a positive development has emerged: the US and Russia have agreed to resume high-level dialogue between their militaries.
The U.S. Army's European Command said the move followed a meeting between senior officials from both sides in Abu Dhabi (UAE), on the sidelines of discussions on the situation in Ukraine. This marks the first time this communication channel has been restored since it was suspended in 2021, just before Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine.
"Maintaining dialogue between militaries is a critical element in global stability and peace... providing a means to enhance transparency and de-escalate tensions," the U.S. military statement emphasized.
