Full Breakdown
Kremlin Says Russia-U.S. Arms Control Talks Overdue and Should Have Restarted
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Statement from the Kremlin
On September 28, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that negotiations on arms control between Russia and the United States are “long overdue” and will require “very lengthy, painstaking expert negotiations.” He added that the talks ought to have resumed the day before, emphasizing the complexity of the issue.
Background and Recent Diplomatic Context
Russia has repeatedly expressed a desire to repair its severely degraded relationship with the United States, but the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has blocked substantive progress. The call for renewed dialogue comes amid broader international attention on nuclear risk reduction, including a recent meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi (September 11).
Official Positions on Trilateral Negotiations
U.S. President Donald Trump has advocated for a three-way arms control framework that would include China alongside Russia and the United States. When asked about this proposal, Peskov reported that China has consistently declined participation, stating that its nuclear arsenal is far smaller than those of Russia and the United States and therefore unnecessary for such talks. Beijing’s position was presented as unchanged from Moscow’s perspective.
Potential Implications for U.S.–Russia Relations
If resumed, the bilateral talks could address strategic stability issues that have become more acute since the Ukraine war began. However, the Kremlin’s insistence on “lengthy, careful” negotiations signals that any rapid breakthrough is unlikely. The exclusion of China, a major nuclear power, may limit the scope of any future agreement and keep multilateral arms-control efforts stalled.
Next Steps
The Kremlin indicated that negotiations will be pursued when both sides are ready for “expert-level” discussions, but no specific timetable was provided. Further diplomatic outreach will be required to bridge the gaps identified by both Moscow and Washington.
