Trump says US is discussing nuclear disarmament with Russia and China

10:32

By: Azzat Manal

Trump says US is discussing nuclear disarmament with Russia and China

US President Donald Trump has said his administration is discussing nuclear disarmament with Russia and China, expressing hope that the three major nuclear powers could eventually reach an agreement to reduce their arsenals. He described the issue as an important subject in his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, although no agreement or formal timetable has been announced.

Speaking in an interview with Newsmax, Trump said he would like to see progress toward nuclear disarmament if an agreement proves possible. His comments suggest an interest in renewed dialogue between Washington, Moscow and Beijing over the size of their nuclear forces and the risks associated with strategic competition.

Trump said the United States currently possesses the world's largest nuclear arsenal, followed by Russia and China. He also warned that China’s nuclear capabilities were expanding and predicted that Beijing could approach the arsenals of the other two powers within five or six years. He argued that China’s comparatively smaller stockpile could make it less inclined to participate in negotiations at this stage.

The president did not provide evidence or detailed projections to support that timeline, and he offered no information about the scope of the discussions or the specific reductions being considered. His remarks therefore indicate an expressed interest in negotiations rather than confirmation that a trilateral arms-control process has formally begun.

Trump previously said in May that he had discussed nuclear disarmament with Xi, arguing that Russia should also be involved in any effort to reduce nuclear weapons. Bringing all three countries into negotiations would be significant because their security policies and strategic priorities differ, while developments in one country’s arsenal can influence the military planning of the others.

Any potential agreement would face substantial challenges, including disagreements over verification, the pace of reductions and the balance between existing arsenals and future production. Negotiators would also need to consider the wider security environment, including conventional military capabilities, missile defence systems and the concerns of other countries that rely on nuclear deterrence.

Russia’s nuclear policy has also remained a central issue in international security discussions. In November 2024, Putin signed a decree approving an updated version of Russia’s nuclear doctrine. The document sets out the circumstances under which Moscow could consider using nuclear weapons, presenting them as a measure intended to protect the country’s sovereignty and security. The Kremlin has repeatedly said that Russia does not threaten other countries, while warning that it will respond to actions it considers a threat to its interests.

For now, Trump’s statements have not been accompanied by publicly announced commitments from Moscow or Beijing. Whether the discussions can develop into concrete negotiations will depend on the willingness of all three governments to define common objectives, establish reliable verification mechanisms and address their competing security concerns.