N※N

Trump Calls for New Nuclear Treaty Including China, UK

  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. s-for-new-nuclear-treaty-including-china-uk.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, February 6th 2026 at 8:13 GMT by moneycontrol.com
      Locales: UNITED STATES, RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Washington D.C. - February 6th, 2026 - Former US President Donald Trump has reignited the debate surrounding nuclear arms control, forcefully advocating for a completely new treaty with Russia and dismissing the current New START agreement as a "badly negotiated" relic of past failures. His proposal, unveiled yesterday, seeks to broaden the scope of nuclear negotiations beyond the traditional US-Russia dynamic to include China, the United Kingdom, and potentially other nuclear powers.

Trump's statement, released on Thursday, throws a significant wrench into ongoing discussions surrounding the future of New START, a treaty limiting strategic nuclear warheads deployed by both the United States and Russia. Set to expire at the end of 2026, the treaty's potential extension has been a persistent point of contention, particularly exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and deteriorating US-Russia relations.

"The current New START treaty is a disaster. It was a terrible deal for the United States, and extending it would simply perpetuate a flawed system," Trump asserted. "We need a new treaty, a comprehensive treaty, that brings all major players to the table - China, the UK, and others. It's the only way to achieve genuine and lasting arms control."

This isn't the first time Trump has challenged established arms control frameworks. During his previous presidency, his administration withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019, alleging Russian violations and arguing that the treaty unfairly constrained US capabilities. The INF treaty, which banned ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, was considered a cornerstone of Cold War-era arms control. The withdrawal led to concerns about a new arms race and increased regional instability.

The rationale behind Trump's renewed push for a comprehensive treaty centers on the evolving geopolitical landscape. He argues that limiting arms control discussions to solely the US and Russia is increasingly unrealistic, given China's rapidly expanding nuclear arsenal. Beijing has been modernizing its nuclear forces at an unprecedented pace, and many analysts believe China will soon surpass the US and Russia in terms of sheer nuclear capability. Including China in negotiations, Trump contends, is crucial to preventing a dangerous arms race in the 21st century.

However, experts are divided on the feasibility of such a proposal. Engaging China in meaningful arms control talks has proven notoriously difficult. Beijing has consistently maintained that its nuclear arsenal is significantly smaller than that of the US and Russia and has resisted calls for multilateral negotiations until the two superpowers substantially reduce their own stockpiles. Furthermore, the current strained relationship between the US and Russia presents a significant obstacle to any collaborative effort.

Moscow, for its part, has also voiced concerns regarding New START, accusing the US of non-compliance with the treaty's terms. The Kremlin has repeatedly requested inspections of US nuclear facilities to verify adherence to the agreement, requests that Washington has consistently denied, citing security concerns and ongoing geopolitical tensions. This mutual distrust further complicates the path toward any new arms control agreement.

The timing of Trump's statement is particularly sensitive. With the war in Ukraine continuing to rage, the risk of escalation remains high. While Trump has frequently expressed a desire for improved relations with Russia, his proposal could be interpreted as a tactic to exploit the situation and gain leverage in negotiations. Some analysts fear that his approach could ultimately undermine efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Beyond the immediate geopolitical implications, Trump's call for a new treaty raises broader questions about the future of nuclear arms control. The existing framework, built on decades of bilateral agreements between the US and Russia, is facing increasing strain. Adapting to a multipolar world and incorporating new technologies, such as hypersonic weapons and artificial intelligence, will require a fundamental rethinking of arms control principles.

The coming months are likely to be critical as the expiration of New START looms. Whether Trump's proposal gains traction or remains a controversial outlier will depend on a complex interplay of political factors, strategic considerations, and the willingness of all major nuclear powers to engage in good-faith negotiations.