US will not get involved in the nuclear race with Russia and China

The United States will not expand its nuclear arsenal to counter the nuclear threat from Russia and China.

According to Ukrinform, citing The Hill, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said this in Washington at the annual conference of the Arms Control Association.

"The United States does not need to increase its nuclear forces and surpass our nuclear competitors to successfully deter them," he said, "We've been there and learned the lesson. Instead, the U.S. administration will focus on investing in "advanced non-nuclear capabilities," such as conventionally armed hypersonic missiles that can reach "well-protected, high-value targets," Sullivan explained.

"Effective deterrence means we have a better approach" rather than chasing more, he noted.

Sullivan called on Moscow and Beijing to start arms control talks despite the tensions in their relations. He criticized the Russian Federation for "striking at the post-Cold War nuclear system" and accused the Chinese government of failing to demonstrate any openness in arms control communication.

As is well known, the nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia are similar in size, with more than 5,000 weapons in each country (although Russia is estimated to have slightly larger stockpiles). China has about 400 nuclear weapons but plans to increase its arsenal to 1500 warheads.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has suspended Russia's participation in the New START Treaty with the United States. The treaty set key limitations on US and Russian nuclear weapons and allowed both sides to obtain information on each other's stockpiles.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 03/06/2023