Trump proposes Nuclear Arms talk with Putin and Jinping

February 14, Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he intends to engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping about imposing limits on their nuclear arsenals. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump emphasized that nuclear disarmament would be a key objective if he secures a second term in office.

His comments come amid concerns over the future of nuclear arms control between the U.S. and Russia. On Monday, Moscow warned that the chances of extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) were dim, with negotiations currently at an impasse. This treaty, which restricts the number of strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems both nations can deploy, is set to expire on February 5, 2026.

Trump expressed support for denuclearization, stating there was no reason for countries to continue expanding their nuclear stockpiles. He claimed that during his first term, he had already reached an understanding with Putin on nuclear reductions and that China had been receptive to the idea. However, he noted that progress was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Efforts to involve China in nuclear arms talks have previously faced resistance. Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. attempted to push Beijing to engage in discussions, but these efforts saw little success. Trump, however, indicated he would take a fresh approach, starting with separate conversations with Putin and Xi, and potentially organizing a trilateral meeting in the future.

Although he did not specify a timeline, Trump expressed a desire to begin discussions “in the not-too-distant future.” He also highlighted the immense military spending by global powers, stating, “There’s no reason for us to be spending almost $1 trillion on military. There’s no reason for China to be spending $400 billion. We can settle this and invest in other priorities.”

Trump was open to holding these meetings anywhere, stressing that the outcome mattered more than the location. “We already have so many nuclear weapons that we could destroy the world 50 or even 100 times over,” he remarked, adding that while China was behind in nuclear capabilities, it could reach parity within five to six years.

With global nuclear tensions rising, Trump’s proposal signals a renewed push for arms control, though it remains uncertain whether meaningful negotiations will take place.

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