Trump Suggests Extending Arms Control Deal With Russia
- United States President Donald Trump said Sunday he was prepared to maintain the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (new START) between Washington and Moscow, after his Russian counterpart...
- "Sounds like an excellent idea to me," Trump said at the White House.
- New START restricts both countries' deployed offensive nuclear weapons, requiring limits on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and nuclear warheads.
Trump Open to Extending New START Nuclear Treaty
United States President Donald Trump said Sunday he was prepared to maintain the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (new START) between Washington and Moscow, after his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin proposed a one-year extension.
“Sounds like an excellent idea to me,” Trump said at the White House.
New START restricts both countries’ deployed offensive nuclear weapons, requiring limits on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and nuclear warheads.
The treaty, signed in 2010, limits each side to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 800 deployed and non-deployed ballistic missile launchers and heavy bombers.
It also provides for a mutual verification system. However, inspections have been suspended since Moscow halted its participation in the treaty two years ago, amid the war in Ukraine and increased tensions with the West.
In January, Trump expressed a desire for a negotiated denuclearization with Moscow and Beijing.He has also requested the Pentagon to develop a large US missile defense system, known as Golden Dome.
New START Treaty Limits (2010)
| Category | Limit |
|---|---|
| Deployed Nuclear Warheads | 1,550 |
| Deployed & Non-Deployed ICBMs, SLBMs, & Heavy Bombers | 800 |
| Deployed ICBMs | 700 |
| Deployed SLBMs | 700 |
| Deployed Heavy Bombers | 100 |