US, Russia Nearing Deal to Extend New START Nuclear Treaty

• The United States and Russia are reportedly close to a deal to extend the New START nuclear arms control treaty beyond its Thursday expiration.
• Negotiations for the extension have been ongoing in Abu Dhabi, with discussions taking place over the past 24 hours.
• The New START treaty, signed in 2010, limits each side's missiles, launchers, and strategic warheads, and is the last remaining nuclear agreement from the Cold War era.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Russia is ready for dialogue if the U.S. constructively responds to Moscow's proposal to abide by the treaty's limits.
• U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to include China in a nuclear reduction deal, but Beijing has declined negotiations due to its significantly smaller arsenal.