The United States on Friday urged three-way talks with Russia and China to set new limits on nuclear weapons, after the last treaty between top nuclear powers Washington and Moscow expired.
Thomas DiNanno, the under secretary of state for arms control, told the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva that “serial Russian violations, growth of more worldwide stockpiles and flaws in New Start’s design and implementation gives the United States a clear imperative to call for a new architecture that addresses the threats of today, not those of a bygone era”.
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“As we sit here today, China’s entire nuclear arsenal has no limits, no transparency, no declarations, had no controls,” he said, adding that “the next era of arms control can and should continue with clear focus, but it will require the participation of more than just Russia at the negotiating table”.
***Russia and the United States agree that it is necessary to renew nuclear talks, the Kremlin said Friday, after the last treaty limiting Moscow’s and Washington’s arsenals expired.
The world’s top two nuclear nations said Thursday they were resuming high-level military contacts, an agreement reached at two-day talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at resolving the Ukraine war.
“There is an understanding, and this was also discussed in Abu Dhabi, that both sides will act responsibly and will recognise the need to start negotiations on this issue as soon as possible,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of nuclear issues.
The New START treaty — the last nuclear agreement between Moscow and Washington — expired on Thursday, triggering fears of a global arms race.
US President Donald Trump’s administration repeatedly criticised New START and said a new agreement was necessary, but insisting that it also include China.