Awaiting Diplomacy: The Future of New START Treaty

Russia continues to wait for the United States' response to President Putin's proposal to extend the New START treaty, the last nuclear arms pact between the two nations, as its expiration nears. With differing views on potential expansions including China, the future of the treaty remains uncertain.

As the expiration date for the New START treaty approaches, Russia remains on edge, awaiting a response from the United States to President Vladimir Putin's informal proposal to extend the nuclear arms pact for another year, the Kremlin announced on Thursday.

The New START, signed in 2010 by Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, sets limits on strategic nuclear arsenals. Yet, with less than three weeks until it expires, there has been no formal response from President Donald Trump, who has indicated a preference for negotiations on a new, more comprehensive treaty possibly involving China.

China, meanwhile, has deemed such three-way talks as unrealistic, stressing their arsenal is much smaller. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's stance that global strategic stability discussions must consider the nuclear capabilities of Britain and France as well.

(With inputs from agencies.)