Negotiations between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on the issue of Ukraine may be combined with discussions on nuclear arms control, The New York Times reports, analyzing recent statements by the leaders of the two countries.
According to the publication, both sides are aiming to include nuclear arms control on the agenda for upcoming talks. The primary treaty limiting the nuclear arsenals of the U.S. and Russia is set to expire in a year. If the agreement is not extended, it could lead to a new arms race.
Last week, Trump stated, “We want to see if we can achieve denuclearization, and I think it’s quite possible.” Putin, in turn, noted his readiness to jointly seek solutions to key issues, including strategic stability and economic matters.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, preliminary arms control talks ended without concrete agreements. However, as NYT points out, Moscow has since insisted on including the Ukraine issue in any discussions on nuclear security.
The Biden administration previously refused to link these topics, fearing it might allow Russia to demand concessions amid territorial seizures. However, according to the publication, Trump is more open to such discussions.
It is expected that a meeting between Putin and Trump could take place without the participation of Ukrainian representatives.
