Biden Administration Seeks 5-Year Extension of Nuclear Arms Treaty with Russia

The Biden administration is proposing to Russia a five-year extension of the New START treaty limiting the number of U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapons.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed the proposal during Thursday's briefing to reporters.

President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan planned to convey the extension proposal to Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Antonov, on Thursday afternoon, said one official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter not yet publicly announced by the administration.

The move, providing an early signal of Biden's intent to pursue arms control, is almost certain to be welcomed both by Russia and key American allies. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday called on the United States and Russia to extend the treaty and to later broaden it.

The treaty is set to expire Feb. 5 and is the last remaining agreement constraining U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons. Signed in 2010 by President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, it limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads.

Asked by reporters about garnering Republican support for White House COVID relief, Psaki said Biden feels his current proposal is "designed for bipartisan support."

She also said the White House wanted Congress to move forward on impeachment for former President Donald Trump in a way that would not impact action on a coronavirus relief package.

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[graywolf]

Still going on about muh Russia 2016, yo it's over you won, move on, prove you want to unite the country

[joanndula]

It's scary to think about Joe Biden doing anything 😳

[jonburgett]

To Biden...as a US citizen I cannot write foreign leaders, so, President Biden, scripture tells us not to enter into treaties. So don't do it. Focus on domestic issues now. Or, I believe the wrath of God will continue in America.

[yungkub]

Crazy Trump supporters in the commets again smh

[danmiller]

Yes, Russia is going to get right on it....putin is right on the case..😃😃😃😃

[YTsuuuucks]

‘Nobody’s been tougher on Russia than me!’
- some seditionist said this -

[christianmitchell]

This had nothing to do with the stimulus that he promised would happen immediately. Who woulda thought he'd forget to help the American people???? Instead keeping illegal immigrants and UNsecurring our borders is far more important than applying unity to the American citizens

[BLAZE]

God damn Sanity has Man I feel so fucking calm now.

[leenaright]

Why must her voice go up at the end of almost every sentence ?

[sofreshsoclean]

we should be finding ways to have putin silenced forever 6ft in dirt, not negotiating

[bradbackes]

He is getting old has to make his mark fast.

[sniperpk]

"even as we work with Russia to advance US interests, so do we hold Russia accountable for it's adverserial..." .. BISH! the world no longer dances to america's tune.