US President Trump Rejects Russian Request to Extend Nuclear Deployment Cap

US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to negotiate a new treaty with Russia to replace the expired Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). The current treaty, which was signed in 2010, limits each country to a maximum of 1,550 nuclear warheads and 700 missiles and bombers deployed and ready for use. Trump stated that he wants to work with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to establish a new agreement, calling the old treaty “badly negotiated”.

The expiration of New START has led to fewer limits on the massive nuclear arsenals of the US and Russia, sparking concerns over a potential arms race. The US and Russia had previously discussed extending the treaty for six months, but this informal agreement is not expected to last.

Russian President Putin had offered to abide by the treaty for another year if Washington would commit to doing the same, but the US ignored this offer. Moscow has expressed regret over the expiration of the decades-long treaty and stated that it will continue with a “responsible, thorough approach” to nuclear weapons stability.

The US and Russia are expected to engage in formal discussions to craft an updated nuclear deal between the two countries. Recent tensions between nuclear-armed states have raised concerns about the erosion of taboos and treaties meant to restrain the use of nuclear weapons in conflict.

Source: Al Jazeera