New START Treaty Expires, US Seeks Trilateral Nuclear Talks

The New START treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, expired on Thursday, marking the first time in decades without such a treaty. The United States is now urging trilateral talks with Russia and China to establish new limits on nuclear weapons, accusing China of rapidly expanding its arsenal and conducting secret tests. China has rejected joining these negotiations at this stage, citing its smaller arsenal compared to the United States and Russia. Russia, meanwhile, insists that any new talks must include other nuclear-armed states like France and the United Kingdom. US President Donald Trump declined to extend the New START treaty, calling for a 'new, improved and modernised treaty' and hinting at resuming nuclear testing. This situation has sparked fears of a fresh arms race among major global powers.