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The U.S. has engaged Russia and China on a new and more comprehensive nuclear arms control agreement following the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).
A U.S. State Department source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said U.S. officials met with a Russian delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday to discuss an agreement limiting strategic nuclear weapons. A meeting with a Chinese delegation is scheduled for Tuesday.
The senior U.S. official said productive bilateral talks had also been held with the United Kingdom and France, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.
“Taking the discussions to the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council was the next logical step,” the official said, expressing optimism about the talks.
The previous U.S.-Russia agreement on limiting strategic nuclear weapons, New START, expired on Feb. 5, 2026.
Following its expiration, Washington called for a new and more comprehensive arms control agreement that would include China alongside Russia.
It remains unclear whether Tuesday’s meeting with the Chinese delegation will involve formal negotiations.
China’s ambassador for disarmament affairs, Shen Jian, previously stated that Beijing would not participate at this stage in nuclear arms control negotiations with Moscow and Washington.
Earlier this month, the U.S. alleged that China conducted a secret nuclear test in June 2020. Shen denied the claim.
The latest meetings in Geneva mark an effort by Washington to expand nuclear arms control discussions beyond the previous bilateral framework.
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