U.S. Proposes New Trilateral Nuclear Weapons Deal with Russia and China Following New START Expiry
Following the expiration of the New START treaty, the United States has urged Russia and China to enter into a new three-way nuclear arms control agreement. U.S. officials criticized the original New START for fundamental flaws, including a lack of transparency regarding China's growing nuclear arsenal. While the U.S. and Russia previously limited themselves to 1,550 warheads each, the world now finds itself without a treaty to curb the most destructive weapons for the first time in decades. China has rejected joining disarmament talks, citing its smaller arsenal, while Russia insists that any new deal must also include France and Britain.
Key Points
- The New START treaty, the last major arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, has officially lapsed.
- The U.S. seeks a trilateral deal to include China, whose nuclear arsenal currently lacks international limitations or transparency.
- Russia argues that future nuclear talks must involve other nuclear-armed states like France and the United Kingdom for parity.
- The expiration of New START marks a significant period of global uncertainty regarding nuclear proliferation and potential arms races.
- China maintains that its nuclear capabilities are not yet at the level of the U.S. or Russia, justifying its refusal to join talks.
Exam Facts
- The New START treaty limited the U.S. and Russia to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each.
- Thomas DiNanno is the U.S. under secretary of state for arms control.
- The New START treaty was allowed to lapse in February 2026.
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