America is entitled to concern, China in a future agreement on the limitation or reduction of nuclear weapons to be included. But it would be disastrous if the United States wanted to make the continued existence of the “New Start”agreement with Russia, which expires in February next year, the participation of Beijing-dependent.
Even in quieter times, and in the case of serious will on all sides it would be difficult to come in the short time until the expiry of the “New Start” in trilateral discussions to a conclusion, because the matter is complicated. It lacks, however, the prerequisites for successful conversations: China’s leadership does not want to tie up anyway by such an agreement, and the clumsy diplomacy of the American President has created an atmosphere of serious negotiations – whatever – is not conducive to.
But if an extension or reissue of the “New Start” fails, then this is the provisional end of the nuclear arms control. After that, it will be much harder to reach a new agreement. The kick-off talks between the Russians and the Americans in Vienna are now gone, at least so good that there are meetings, a basis for follow-up, is a sign of hope. But only a little, because even Russia, which marks now as a defender of the “New Start”, in reality, an ambiguous relationship to arms control.
