According to a report in ABC News, citing sources familiar with the matter, during Donald Trump’s presidency, Vladimir Putin allegedly proposed discussing arms control with Trump, including the potential inclusion of Russia’s new nuclear weapons in any agreement. The proposal, reportedly conveyed through back channels, offered a potential extension of the New START treaty, which limits the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems.
Putin’s reported offer came amid growing concerns in the U.S. about Russia’s development of new nuclear weapons, including the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, and the Poseidon underwater drone. These weapons were showcased by Putin in 2018, raising anxieties about a renewed arms race.
The Trump administration, at the time, expressed interest in a broader arms control agreement that would include not only Russia but also China. This approach differed from Russia’s preference for bilateral negotiations. The report suggests that the proposed talks never materialized in a significant way.
The New START treaty, which was extended in 2021, remains the only arms control agreement limiting Russian and U.S. nuclear arsenals. The report highlights the complexities and continued concerns surrounding nuclear arms control between the two nations, especially in light of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
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