US and Russia close to nuclear deal: Axios reveals details of Abu Dhabi talks
Photo: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russia and the United States are negotiating an extension of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) and are reportedly close to reaching an agreement, according to Axios and journalist Barak Ravid.
Sources told the outlet that the two countries are near finalizing the New START treaty, though the plan still needs approval from the US and Russian leadership.
One source said the negotiations took place over the past 24 hours in Abu Dhabi between US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Russian officials.
According to an Axios source, the treaty is set to expire on Thursday, and its extension will not be legally formalized. According to the source, both sides have agreed to adhere to the treaty’s terms while negotiating a new agreement.
"We agreed with Russia to operate in good faith and to start a discussion about ways it could be updated," a US official emphasized.
Later, Barak Ravid reported that the US and Russia agreed to comply with New START terms for at least another six months, during which negotiations on a potential new deal will continue.
What is known about New START
The treaty serves as a limiting framework for the US and Russian nuclear arsenals. Together, the two countries possess approximately 85% of the world’s nuclear warheads.
New START limits the number of nuclear warheads that the US and Russia can deploy on submarines, missiles, and bombers, and includes important transparency mechanisms.
The US-Russia arms control treaty is set to expire on February 5. Russian leader Vladimir Putin previously proposed voluntarily adhering to the limits for another year.
In response, US President Donald Trump said he would like a new deal that also includes China, though Washington has yet to take concrete steps.
Meanwhile, the US President has ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing "on an equal basis" with Russia and China.
