Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said it would be “unthinkable” for Moscow to join Washington in pressuring Beijing to take part in denuclearisation talks. His remarks follow President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to extend the New START treaty— the only remaining arms‑control pact between the United States and Russia—by another year. The treaty is due to expire on 5 February 2026.
Lavrov stressed that Russia will not create alliances aimed at targeting other countries, especially China. Moscow and Beijing have already signed bilateral treaties that emphasise mutual support and cooperation in the economic, defence and diplomatic spheres. The foreign minister noted that the United States has been urging China’s inclusion in nuclear‑reduction negotiations for years, but China maintains that it is not yet ready to participate because it is still developing its strategic capabilities.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia holds the world’s largest nuclear arsenal with 5,459 warheads, followed by the United States with 5,177. China possesses roughly 600 nuclear warheads, but its stockpile is growing faster than those of other nations. Last month, Beijing welcomed Putin’s offer to extend New START, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stating that the United States and Russia should fulfil their responsibility for nuclear disarmament.
These developments underscore the complex dynamics surrounding international nuclear‑disarmament efforts. With the New START treaty’s expiry approaching, the future of arms‑control agreements remains uncertain. Russia’s refusal to pressure China adds another layer to an already intricate geopolitical landscape, highlighting the continued need for cooperation and diplomacy to achieve nuclear‑disarmament goals.
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