The Future Of Strategic Arms Control Is Dim Due To The Ukrainian Conflict & The Golden Dome

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov shared his country's thoughts on the future of strategic arms control in an interview with TASS in early June. He discussed the recent drone strikes in Ukraine, which damaged Russian planes, and questioned why the US provided data that enabled these attacks. Ryabkov suggested that the US might be partially influenced by pressure from Brussels to support Ukraine and escalate the conflict. He expressed cautious optimism about US President Donald Trump's position on the Ukrainian Conflict, implying that Biden-era officials might be to blame for the recent provocation. Ryabkov stated that without a normalization of US-Russia relations, including an end to NATO expansion and a resolution to the Ukrainian Conflict, strategic arms control talks cannot be resumed. The Trump Administration's Golden Dome missile defense initiative complicates any potential talks, as it militarizes space and could lead to a new space race. Ryabkov emphasized that the US is not interested in discussing the joint Sino-Russo draft treaty to prevent an arms race in outer space. He concluded that there are no grounds for a full-scale resumption of the New START Treaty, which is set to expire in about 8 months. The end of the New START era could lead to a significant increase in the potential for future conflict, including between Great Powers by proxy. The rapid evolution of military technologies, such as drones and missile defense systems, is transforming the sphere of strategic arms control and raising concerns about international stability.