White House Announces Plan to Put China at Center of Future Arms Control Efforts with Russia

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will deliver a speech on the issue at the National Arms Control Association meeting in Washington, D.C. According to senior officials, the Biden administration is focused on negotiating with China on its rapidly expanding arsenal and global presence, rather than solely focusing on Moscow.

The last US-Russia arms control treaty, New START, is due to expire in 2026, and the administration is seeking to negotiate a new treaty.

However, the officials emphasized that the United States needs to understand China's willingness to engage in more substantive dialogue with the US before negotiating with Russia.

Relations between the United States and Russia are currently at a low point, and relations with China are also strained.

In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia was suspending participation in New START, a Cold War-era treaty that limits warheads and allows verification by both sides.

The State Department has responded by suspending various aspects of the treaty, including on-site inspections and exchange of data.

In his speech, Sullivan will also discuss efforts to build norms and rules of the road in the AI, space, and other high-tech fields.