Securing a new US-Russian nuclear arms control arrangement that can supersede the current treaty has been an endeavor that has stood on shaky, fractured ground for years, with Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine earlier this year making the future for nuclear arms control and disarmament all the more uncertain.
Following President Putin's thinly-veiled threats of nuclear weapons use in his war on Ukraine, our expert panel addressed Russian tactical nuclear weapons capabilities, the consequences of their potential use, and diplomatic and political options.
In this year’s conference, Russia was the only NPT state-party to openly oppose adoption of the draft outcome document, but other countries also had disagreements.
It appears that Russia concluded early that there could be no middle ground on Ukraine.
Iran and the United States came close to agreement in August before new Iranian demands stalled progress.
Talks between the United States and Iran to restore the 2015 nuclear deal stalled over new Iranian demands and appear unlikely to resume until after U.S. elections. The International Atomic Energy Organization also reported that Iran's nuclear program continues to expand.
After the successful launch of the nuclear ban treaty, the hard work of convincing more states to join lies ahead.
Despite the disappointing outcome, NPT states-parties still hope Russia and the United States will honor pledges to resume nuclear negotiations.
Iran said it will respond soon to U.S. comments on a final draft agreement.