Trump rebuffs nuke pact proposal

The Trump administration on Friday rejected as “a nonstarter” Russia’s stance that a key nuclear arms control treaty be extended without imposing a broader, shortterm freeze on U. S. and Russian nuclear weapons.

In a statement, Robert O’Brien, the national security adviser to President Trump, said the U. S. had proposed an extension of the New START treaty for one year, in exchange for Russia and the United States capping all nuclear warheads during that period.

“This would have been a win for both sides,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier Friday said he could accept an extension of the treaty, but only if it were without conditions.

The New START treaty is set to expire in February unless Moscow and Washington agree on its extension.

Speaking at a meeting of his Security Council, Putin said that “it would be extremely sad if the treaty ceases to exist without being replaced by another fundamental document of the kind.”

The New START treaty was signed in 2010 by President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.