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Nuclear Weapons

Asked by David ChadwickLiberal DemocratForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 22 October 2025UIN 80593

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to encourage the USA and Russia to enter discussions on a new nuclear weapon treaty to replace the NEW START Treaty.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

The New START Treaty is a bilateral agreement between the United States and Russian Federation; any replacement treaty is a matter for the US and Russia. The UK regularly raises issues related to strategic risk reduction, including arms control with the USA and Russia through the expert-level P5 process. Genuine and verifiable strategic arms control among the largest Nuclear Weapons States can be a positive step for global security. However, following Russia's decision to suspend participation in New START verification measures in 2023, future approaches need to be based on concrete, and verifiable actions.

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