Trump suggests Russia, China, Iran may be meeting to discuss ‘de-escalation’

In a press conference held in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Donald Trump downplayed an upcoming nuclear summit in Beijing involving Iran, Russia, and China – three chief adversaries of the United States. The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed the discussions, which are scheduled to take place amidst a United Nations Security Council meeting addressing Tehran’s expansion of near-weapons-grade uranium.

When asked about the summit, Trump suggested that perhaps the three nations would be discussing “non-nuclear problems” or the “de-escalation of nuclear weapons.” He stated, “Well, maybe they’re going to talk about non-nuclear problems. Maybe they’re going to be talking about the de-escalation of nuclear weapons.”

Reflecting on his past conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin about nuclear weapons, Trump expressed confidence that had he won the 2016 election, further negotiations on Russian denuclearization would have been possible. He said, “I think I would have made a deal with Putin on de-escalation, denuclearization. But we would have de-escalated nuclear weapons because the power of nuclear weapons is so great and so devastating.”

Trump also raised concerns about China’s rapid development of its nuclear stockpiles, predicting that they could surpass the United States in nuclear capabilities within five years. However, experts have cautioned against this claim, stating that China’s nuclear expansion is unlikely to result in parity with the U.S. arsenal.

The President acknowledged the ongoing nuclear threat posed by North Korea, which is estimated to possess 50 nuclear weapons. Despite the challenges, Trump highlighted the positive relationship he had with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his first term and expressed hope for continued negotiations in his second term.

As discussions on nuclear weapons continue among these nations, Trump emphasized the importance of reducing nuclear stockpiles and preventing the devastating impacts of these weapons. He concluded by stating, “You don’t need them to that extent,” emphasizing the need for nuclear disarmament in the interest of global security.

Overall, Trump’s remarks shed light on the complex dynamics surrounding nuclear negotiations and the challenges posed by adversarial relationships with Iran, Russia, and China. The upcoming summit in Beijing will undoubtedly be a significant event with potential implications for global security and nuclear disarmament efforts.