US proposes multilateral nuclear deal

Washington has sought to separate the arms control issue from its deteriorating relations with Moscow and Beijing 

US proposes multilateral nuclear deal

US proposes multilateral nuclear deal

The White House has offered a “common sense” step to other four major atomic powers

The US is willing to engage in multilateral arms control efforts with the UK, France, Russia and China, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Friday. 

“We have stated our willingness to engage in bilateral arms control discussions with Russia and with China, without preconditions,” Sullivan told the annual meeting of the Arms Control Association, adding that Washington is eager to “compartmentalize” the atomic issue from other relations with Moscow and Beijing.

“P5” – the nuclear-armed permanent members of the UN Security Council – in multilateral arrangements. For example, Sullivan said, “formalizing a missile launch notification regime across the P5 is a straightforward measure that is simply common sense.”

“a small step that would help reduce the risk of misperception and miscalculation in times of crisis,” but could also build momentum towards further measures, such as “establishing crisis communications channels among the P5 capitals,” and committing to transparency in nuclear matters, among other things.

President Joe Biden’s top aide aired the White House’s frustration that China has not bothered to engage in any arms control talks with the US, and seems to be on track to have 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035.

“as long as Russia does,” Sullivan told the ACA, and discuss nuclear weapons separately from other issues.

“nuclear triad” in order to be able to negotiate “from a position of strength,” Sullivan said, adding that Washington seeks to “help set the norms and shore up the values of the new nuclear era.”

“lawful countermeasures in response to the Russian Federation’s ongoing violation” of the treaty.

suspended Moscow’s participation in New START altogether, saying it made no sense to observe the treaty with a party committed to Russia’s “strategic defeat.”