About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

LOG IN
LOG IN


1 1 (February 3, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govecbk0001 and id is 1 raw text is: b Congressional *.Research Service Status of U.S.-Russian Nuclear Arms Control Talks Updated February 3, 2021 Introduction The New START Treaty would have expired on February 5, 2021, unless the United States and Russia agreed to extend it for up to five years. On January 21, 2021, the Biden Administration announced that it would seek a five-year extension of New START, leading to an exchange of diplomatic notes and the formal extension of the treaty on February 3, 2021. The State Department noted that the extension was a first step that would provide the stability and predictability [needed] to enhance and expand discussions with Russia and China. The United States and Russia held several meetings during 2020 to discuss New START extension and a framework for a future agreement, but did not reach an agreement. In April 2019, President Trump had called for expanded arms control efforts with Russia and China, both to capture all types of Russian weapons and to bring China into the process. In December 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin had indicated that he would extend New START for five years, without preconditions; Russian officials also noted that the countries could address other weapons systems in separate talks after extending New START. Issues in the Negotiations China Prior to beginning negotiations with Russia, the U.S. negotiator, Ambassador Marshall Billingslea suggested that Washington would not extend New START unless China joined the talks. He invited China to participate, but China refused, as it has far fewer nuclear weapons than the United States or Russia. He then suggested that Russia pressure China to participate. Foreign Minister Ryabkov rejected this, noting that such a decision would be the sovereign right of China. Moreover, Russian officials have argued that a multilateral treaty should include the United Kingdom and France, a suggestion the United States has rejected. Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN11520 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress