Negotiations on Ukraine may be combined with discussions on nuclear weapons control – The New York Times

Negotiations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Ukraine may be combined with discussions on nuclear arms control.

This information according to The New York Times.

The newspaper analyzed recent statements by both leaders and concluded that they intend to include nuclear arms control on the agenda. This conversation comes with a critical deadline: the main treaty limiting the nuclear arsenals of both countries is set to expire in about a year. Without its renewal, both nations could embark on an unprecedented arms race.

Last week, Trump stated, “We want to see if we can achieve denuclearization. And I think it’s entirely possible.” Putin similarly expressed that he could work with Trump “to jointly seek solutions to key modern challenges, including strategic stability and the economy.”

The last preliminary talks on arms control concluded shortly before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Putin has maintained that any negotiations on limiting nuclear arms must also address agreements related to the war in Ukraine. The Biden administration has resisted combining these issues, fearing that Putin’s real objective is to trade nuclear arms limitations for concessions such as recognition of territories seized in Ukraine.

“However, Trump seems open to broader negotiations, which is exactly what Putin would want, as it could allow him to achieve this compromise,” writes The New York Times.

The meeting between Putin and Trump, where nuclear arms and Ukraine are expected to be discussed, could take place without the participation of representatives from Kyiv, the newspaper suggests. Former State Department official Stephen Sestanovich noted that striking a deal solely with the U.S. is another key goal for Putin.

A few days earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin is ready to talk with the U.S. president. According to Peskov, Russia is “waiting for signals” from the United States.