Russia-US Arms Control Agreement Would Require Lengthy Negotiations, Kremlin Says

Moscow, The Gulf Observer: Reaching a new arms control agreement between Russia and the United States would require lengthy and detailed negotiations, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to media reports.

Speaking at a news briefing, Peskov said arms control is a highly complex issue that requires extensive preparation and consultations among experts.

“This is such a complex matter that it requires very lengthy, meticulous, and expert-level negotiations. Therefore, in any case, it will be a process that takes a long time,” Peskov said.

The latest major Russian-American strategic arms control agreement, the New START Treaty, expired in February after the United States allowed it to lapse. Washington has indicated that any future agreement should also involve China.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington, US President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in trilateral arms control discussions involving Russia, China and the United States.

China, however, has maintained that the size of its nuclear arsenal does not warrant negotiations focused on numerical limitations.

Moscow has said that developing a new arms control framework would require further negotiations and consensus among the parties involved. Russia has also argued that any future arrangement should take into account not only the Russian and US nuclear arsenals but also those of US allies in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom and France.

Regarding China’s potential participation, Moscow has stated that the decision rests with Beijing and that Russia respects whatever position the Chinese side ultimately adopts.