... connection with the end of New START. The simplest answer is no—it will not.
Because it is already under way, but Russian and U.S. efforts are focused, at least for now, on qualitative rather than quantitative modernization of their nuclear forces. For Russia, the lifetime of New START has been more than productive in this respect. The U.S. is also set to begin receiving new delivery vehicles soon: the new B-21 bombers are already in testing, along with the LRSO strategic cruise missiles for them; Columbia-class ballistic ...
... 1922 Washington Naval Treaty), perhaps it should be used as a tool for addressing the problem.
China’s growing strategic nuclear forces have been a hot topic for years—the previous U.S. administration even pushed this issue in negotiations with Russia about extending New START. But this year, a new “troublemaker” has entered the scene: the Golden Dome, a next-generation U.S. national missile defense system with space-based strike capabilities, which was proposed by Trump after his return to the White House [
4
...
... suspicions of new system developments, and the presence of such systems in third countries, notably China. During Trump’s first term, the extension of New START was nearly derailed, only to be salvaged under the Biden administration. In 2023, amid the SMO, Russia suspended its participation in New START.
The Stabilizing “Basic Principles”: Moscow Reduces Options for Pre-Nuclear Escalation. Russia’s leading experts on the new Russia’s nuclear doctrine
The conflict in Ukraine has significantly exacerbated existing challenges while giving ...
... result, the New START was deprived of the main elements of compliance verification and the mechanism of conflict resolution.
Amid this situation, the denunciatory voices of American lawmakers and hawks from other spheres were getting ever louder about Russia’s violation of the New START. After these steps had been taken, declaring a withdrawal from the treaty would seem a logical step to secure and legitimize the de-facto state of things. But the Russian authorities chose not to burn all boats and—instead of withdrawing from ...
... working group on strategic stability issues of the Euro-Atlantic Security Leadership Group (EASLG) took place.
The discussion focused on the following issues: prospects for strengthening strategic stability, taking into account the recent extension of Russia-the U.S. New START Treaty, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, new confidence-building measures in the nuclear field, and possible measures to limit the qualitative arms race. On the Russian side, the discussion was attended by Yevgeny Buzhinsky, RIAC Vice President,...
... American—should realize this.
While there is no quick fix—nor can there be one—the opportunity to change the general course of U.S.–Russia relations is there. What we need is a dialogue—at least on those issues where we can come to some kind of agreement. ... ... agreements no doubt meet the long-term interests of both countries.
Arms control
First, there is arms control. Extending the New START Treaty without any additional conditions meets the security interests of both sides. All that is needed for this is ...
... relations with Russia soured and then further escalated with intelligence reports pointing to Russia as culprit for cyber intrusions, Russia’s renewed and expansive foreign policy, and with the Magnitsky Act. Nevertheless, Mr. Obama
was able to sign
New START with then-President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev.
On the other hand, nearly the same story can be said of the Trump administration. While Trump
voiced
both on the campaign trail and in the early days of his presidency that he sought to improve relations with Russia,...
... non-proliferation. One of the critical reasons for having this conversation again is the need to consider the principle, recent political development—the results of the U.S. election.
The interview's key topic is what Joe Biden’s presidency means for Russia–U.S. relations and what factors may hinder a compromise in the nuclear sphere?
Mr. Arbatov, a year ago, we talked about the possibility of extending the New START Treaty and that the United States might withdraw from it. Now, with Biden’s victory, what can be said about the prospects for this document?
Aleksey Arbatov:
Talks on a Future START Should Have Been Launched Yesterday
The Treaty will most ...
... and dangerous international situation would certainly have a positive significance. Another proposal involves prolonging the New START immediately and without any pre-conditions, while simultaneously launching intensive consultations on a broad range ... ... American counterparts and which, in my opinion, is still relevant today. Given today’s geopolitical confrontation between Russia and the United States, the two sides focus primarily on security issues, and for obvious reasons. At the same time, an ...
... pointing to its perceived weaknesses as being “
loopholes that the Russians have been exploiting
”. The latter view is contradictory in itself, as Gottemoeller
confirms
, when considering the State Department’s annual compliance report that affirms Russia’s full compliance with the New START.
Even if that were the case, the demise of the treaty would entail a situation where both would have to increase spending by obtaining that information through NTM (National Technical Means). Without this understanding about the other side’s ...
