Tensions surrounding arms control treaties have escalated since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. In February 2023, Putin announced that Russia would suspend its participation in the New START treaty — the last active nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia. This treaty, initially aimed at limiting both countries’ nuclear arsenals, has since been at the center of diplomatic friction.
In response, the United States took countermeasures. In June 2023, Washington declared it would also suspend certain obligations under the treaty. These measures included halting the exchange of nuclear weapons-related data with Moscow and stopping Russian inspection activities on U.S. soil.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov’s recent remarks have sparked interest, as they appear to signal a potential rhetorical shift. Just a week prior, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had firmly rejected any discussion of nuclear arms control with the U.S., citing Washington’s support for Ukraine as a primary reason. His stance seemed to cement the deadlock between the two nations.
However, the political atmosphere in Moscow may now be shifting. This comes amid efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to broker a deal to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has taken a firm stance on the conflict, directly blaming Putin for its continuation. The U.S. president has also warned of severe tariffs and sanctions on Russian goods should Moscow fail to negotiate an end to the hostilities. This approach marks a potential turning point in the diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis, with arms control issues and the Ukraine war becoming even more intertwined.













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