US seeks to pressure Russia into nuclear weapons treaty concessions before election

US seeks to pressure Russia into nuclear weapons treaty concessions before election, By Kylie Atwood, CNN, September 18, 2020 Washington (CNN)The Trump administration is threatening Russia that they could increase the cost of extending the one remaining nuclear weapons treaty between the two countries if Moscow does not commit to meeting US demands, including agreeing to stronger verification measures, before the American presidential election in November.

The two countries have spent months negotiating over the renewal of the New START nuclear weapons treaty. Moscow has said it is open to renewing it for five years, while the Trump administration is seeking a new framework and will only renew the treaty if Russia makes additional commitments………

Billingslea’s declaration puts new pressure on Russia to come to the table before November, but Moscow is aware that the final outcome will be wholly dependent on who wins the election.

Some experts are skeptical that Russia will buckle under US pressure.

“The Trump administration is playing a risky game of chicken with the New START treaty, which has proven to be effective, which both sides are complying with and which is essential for US and Russian national security,” said Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Association. “I do not see the logic to Russia responding to this offer before November 3. They can see the polls. Why should they say yes to something right now when Trump may be out of office and they think they know the Biden administration will agree to an extension and follow on talks?”

Vice President Joe Biden has already said that he will sign off on renewing New START if he becomes president. The deadline for the extension is February 5, 2021 — which would give a possible Biden administration about two weeks to secure the extension.

The Trump administration suspended the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty last year, promptivng criticism that they are aiming to start a nuclear arms race. Billingslea and other Trump administration officials claim that is not the case…….

Trump has shown a keen interest in America’s nuclear arsenal, and appeared to share classified developments with journalist Bob Woodward, in an interview for his new book “Rage.” Trump states to Woodward: “I have built a nuclear — a weapons system that nobody’s ever had in this country before,” Trump said, according to a recording of their December 5, 2019, conversation, before going on to say: “We have stuff that Putin and Xi have never heard about before. There’s nobody. What we hae is incredible.”………….. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/18/politics/us-russia-nuclear-treaty/index.html

September 21, 2020 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics international, USA

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