Trump renews push for denuclearization talks with Russia, China

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he wants to commence denuclearization talks with Russia and China, revisiting an issue he raised earlier as he also seeks to revive stalled diplomacy with North Korea.

“Among the things we are trying to do with Russia and China is denuclearisation, and it is very important,” Trump told reporters ahead of his meeting on Monday with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House.

“I believe denuclearisation is a significant goal. Russia is willing to pursue it, and I think China will be prepared to do so as well. We cannot allow nuclear weapons to spread. The power is too great,” he added.

Speaking at a separate White House event earlier the same day, Trump said he had already raised the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though he did not specify when the conversation had taken place.

“We are discussing limits on nuclear weapons. We will involve China in that,” Trump said. “China is far behind, but in five years they will catch up. We want denuclearisation. The power is excessive, and that was also part of our talks,” he noted.

Trump’s remarks coincided with his stated wish to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year. Kim has so far ignored Trump’s repeated overtures since the Republican took office in January, seeking to restore the direct diplomacy he had pursued during his 2017–2021 presidency, which produced no agreement to halt North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

Trump first outlined his intention to pursue nuclear arms control in February, saying he wanted to begin discussions with both Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on capping their arsenals. Speaking in the Oval Office at the time, he said denuclearisation would be a central goal of his second term and that he hoped talks could begin in the “not too distant future”.

The renewed emphasis on arms control comes as the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) approaches its expiry on 5 February 2026. Signed in 2010, it remains the last nuclear arms pact between Washington and Moscow, limiting the number of strategic warheads and delivery systems each side can deploy.

Russia has already warned this year that the chances of extending the treaty appear slim. Under his predecessor Joe Biden, the U.S. had also pressed China to enter formal arms control negotiations but made little progress.

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