Moscow Signals Possible Nuclear Talks Over Trump’s Missile Shield

The Kremlin suggested on Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s plan for a missile defense system, dubbed the “Golden Dome,” might catalyze a renewed discussion on nuclear arms control between Moscow and Washington.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to inquiries about Trump’s announcement regarding the $17.5 billion initiative.

The “Golden Dome,” which draws inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome, aims to counter threats posed by both China and Russia.

Peskov commented on whether this project poses a risk to Russia’s nuclear equilibrium with the U.S., acknowledging the lack of detailed information regarding the American system and the inherent complexities.

“In the near future, developments will necessitate renewed dialogue on issues related to strategic stability,” he noted.

As the two largest nuclear powers, Russia and the U.S. have expressed regret over the dissolution of the Arms Control Treaty, which sought to mitigate the arms race and lower the risk of nuclear conflict.

The U.S. has criticized Russia for the breakdown of several agreements, including the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

The U.S. formally exited the INF Treaty in 2019, alleging Russian breaches, which Moscow has denied. Prior to this, the U.S. withdrew from the ABM Treaty in 2002.

Peskov emphasized that the existing legal framework has effectively collapsed, stating, “This base must be re-created for the interests of both our countries and for global security.”