Russia and U.S. Agree on Urgent Need for New Nuclear Arms Treaty Amid Escalating Global Concerns

International - Ekhbary News Agency

Russia and U.S. Agree on Urgent Need for New Nuclear Arms Treaty Amid Escalating Global Concerns

Russia and the United States have underscored the urgent necessity for negotiations on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty, a day after the New START agreement, the last remaining pact limiting their strategic arsenals, officially expired. This consensus, articulated by the Kremlin on Friday, arrives at a critical juncture, fueling heightened global concerns about a potential new arms race and the erosion of strategic stability.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, informed reporters that there is an "understanding, which was discussed in Abu Dhabi, that both sides will act responsibly and will recognize the need to begin discussions on this issue as soon as possible." This statement highlights a shared recognition of the gravity of the situation and the imperative to address it promptly through diplomatic channels. The expiration of New START marks a historical turning point, as it is the first time in nearly 40 years, specifically since the Reagan Administration, that the United States finds itself without a nuclear arms control treaty with Russia.

The New START treaty, signed in Prague in 2010 by then-U.S. President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, placed verifiable limits on each side's deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550 and restricted launchers and bombers to 800. It also established a robust framework for mutual onsite inspections, providing crucial transparency and fostering confidence between the two nuclear powers. This treaty played a pivotal role in maintaining strategic balance and mitigating the risks of miscalculation.

In 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Moscow's suspension of its participation in the pact, accusing NATO of seeking to attack Russia’s nuclear facilities. Despite this, Russian officials later clarified that while Russia would continue to abide by the numerical limits on warheads and launchers, it would discontinue other aspects of the agreement, such as inspections. Even with this partial suspension, Putin had previously urged the United States to extend New START for an additional year, deeming it "a mistake" to fully abandon the treaty's legacy.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, last year, had also expressed openness to an extension, though he indicated a desire to include China in any new arrangement. Similarly, Putin had called for France and the United Kingdom to be involved in a follow-up treaty, reflecting a broader ambition to expand the scope of any future agreement to include other nuclear powers. This proposed expansion, however, complicates potential negotiations, as involving more parties necessitates greater diplomatic effort and broader consensus.

Following the treaty's official termination on Thursday, reports citing anonymous U.S. officials suggested that Washington and Moscow were close to an informal understanding that would see both countries continue to observe New START's provisions beyond its expiration. However, Peskov dismissed the viability of such an arrangement, emphasizing that Russia would not sign on to an agreement that lacks legal binding. "The provisions [in New START] can be extended formally, but it's difficult to imagine how something like that could be done informally," he stated, underscoring the demand for clear legal commitment.

Beyond the nuclear arms discussions, Russian and U.S. officials also agreed on Thursday to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue, which had been suspended in 2021. This move is a positive development, potentially contributing to de-escalation and reducing misunderstandings in times of heightened geopolitical tensions. The resumption of such vital communication channels demonstrates a mutual willingness to maintain some lines of contact, even amidst profound disagreements.

The current landscape of nuclear arms control faces unprecedented challenges. The absence of a legally binding treaty between the world's two largest nuclear powers necessitates a cautious and innovative diplomatic approach. The international community must closely monitor these developments, as the future of global security hinges significantly on the ability of these powers to find common ground to prevent a new nuclear arms race.

Ekhbary News Agency