“If that day comes, the decision will be made that we need more nuclear weapons to deter our adversaries and protect the American people, our allies and our partners.”
China responded to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency, saying the United States “needs to reflect on its actions and strive to do the right thing.”
“The United States should reduce the role of nuclear weapons in its national and collective security policies and act responsibly for the global welfare.”
“The United States possesses the world’s largest and most advanced nuclear arsenal. Yet it remains committed to a policy of first use of nuclear weapons, devising a nuclear deterrence strategy against other countries, and investing heavily in upgrading its nuclear triad. [land, air and sea-based missiles]”
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the United States possesses 3,708 nuclear warheads, while Russia has approximately 4,489.
03:15
Taiwan conducts nuclear emergency drill after mainland Chinese aircraft intrudes into Taiwan’s air defense zone
Mainland Chinese aircraft enter Taiwan’s air defense zone, Taiwan conducts nuclear emergency drill
The current agreement between the United States and Russia, which expires in February 2026, limits each country to deploying only 1,550 intercontinental strategic warheads.
China has not disclosed the size of its nuclear arsenal, but Washington estimates it has about 500 warheads.
In the talks, the first in four years, the United States pressed China for greater nuclear transparency and engagement on measures to manage strategic risks across multiple domains, including nuclear weapons and space.
Lu Xiang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Vadi’s remarks contradicted U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s comments at the same forum last year, when he said “the United States does not need to increase its nuclear capabilities to surpass the combined total of its competitors in order to deter nuclear weapons.”
“This is a very disturbing and ineffective message,” Lu said. “I think the Chinese government will view this as adding negativity to an already troubled world.”
“This message from the United States will likely encourage some countries to prepare to launch nuclear warheads, increasing the risks facing the world.”
China’s embassy in Washington said the country maintains its nuclear capabilities at the “minimum level necessary for national security” and is not participating in any form of arms race.
“As long as a country does not use nuclear weapons against China, it need not feel threatened by China’s nuclear weapons,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry responded to Vadi’s comments by saying, “If the United States deploys further strategic nuclear weapons, Russia will do so too.”
03:20
Japan’s Prime Minister denounces Russian nuclear threats on Hiroshima atomic bomb anniversary
Japan’s Prime Minister denounces Russian nuclear threats on Hiroshima atomic bomb anniversary
“Given reports of the modernization and expansion of nuclear forces by China and Russia, and periodic threats by Russia to use nuclear weapons in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, it is not surprising that the United States is seeking to acquire a more powerful nuclear force, even if U.S. posture and strategy remain unchanged,” said Cheong Ja Ian, a professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.
Song Zhongping, a former instructor in the People’s Liberation Army, said the U.S.’s desire to draw China into nuclear arms negotiations was “wishful thinking.”
“China’s nuclear arsenal is only a fraction of the U.S. nuclear arsenal,” he said. “If there are to be nuclear arms negotiations, the U.S. and Russia should be the first to discuss them, instead of putting the onus on China.”
