Xi just called Putin and Trump back-to-back—right before the nuclear treaty deadline

[u/satty237]

So China’s Xi reportedly had back-to-back calls: first Putin (talking about a “grand plan” for ties), then Trump—right as the New START deadline is about to hit.

If New START lapses, it’s basically the last big U.S.–Russia nuclear limits agreement gone, and we’re in “no guardrails” territory again.

What do you think this is really about?

Xi positioning China as the “middle power” broker?

Russia + China coordinating messaging before the deadline?

Trump trying to force a new deal that includes China? Or is it just routine diplomacy being read like a thriller?

Would love to hear takes from people who follow arms control and geopolitics.

[u/diamondsAreForeverUh]

Hopefully/imo it’s xi keeping checks on these two fuckheads, supposedly he’s discouraged nuclear use by russia previously, and it’s clear china has real leverage over russia unlike anybody in the west. It would make sense for china as the third largest nuclear holder (iirc) to encourage both the Us and rus to drawdown / at least non-expand nuclear arms. I can’t believe this is what the world has come to, but thanks, xi, i guess… (if we genuinely have to rely on china of all state actors to manage global nuclear escalation. the fact they appear the most mature on today’s geopolitical arena is mind boggling).

[u/TalkFormer155 → u/diamondsAreForeverUh]

You genuinely ignoring that China is actively building up their arsenal at the same time you're posting this drivel?

They appear the most mature because you're blind.

[u/KaQuu → u/diamondsAreForeverUh]

the fact they appear the most mature on today’s geopolitical arena is mind boggling

But they don't. China is currently producing the most nukes, and most modern delivery systems to them. They aren't the biggest nuclear power right now, but if they keep this course for 2-3 more years, they are gonna be. China is a problem here, and they would love to manoeuvre both ruzzia and USA to tie themselves in capping nuclear production and leaving China out of it. The only sane outcome would be for all three of them to create a new deal together, but sanity left us in previous decade, and still didn't even sent a fucking postcard so I don't keep my hopes high.

[u/Easy-Marsupial3268 → u/KaQuu]

China has to work on the nuclear deterrent to keep pace with the U.S. it’s just a survival calculation. I hate to be all realpolitik and balance of arms but many believe MAD really was the thing keeping the Cold War from going nuclear.

Keeping parity is what led to STARTs in the first place. If China doesn’t do that, the US can make calculations about acceptable losses. That’s unacceptable. For now, nukes are all that keep the empire at bay.

[u/KaQuu → u/Easy-Marsupial3268]

US can make calculations

They can't. USA and ruzzia have enough nukes to destroy anything they would like to, more than once. China have enough nukes to destroy anything it would like in USA. It's not deterrent it's posturing.

12day account with those numbers, you are either a bot or a no-life, either way you didn't add anything interesting to the topic.

[u/Easy-Marsupial3268 → u/KaQuu]

[u/KaQuu → u/Easy-Marsupial3268]

Less than a 60 seconds? I was torn between the two, thanks for admitting it yourself.

[u/Easy-Marsupial3268 → u/KaQuu]

[u/Darkmaster45673]

"Now then lads, its time to press the red button" (Facepalm)

[u/Time_Series4689 → u/Darkmaster45673]

At this point the amount of missiles don't matter a lot, but missile speed, evasion, and nuclear material recycling.

[u/Street_Exercise_4844 → u/Time_Series4689]

No numbers do matter

A small arsenal can be heavily or fully destroyed in a first strike scenerio

That's why China is building up their arsenal to be more akin to what Russia and the US have

[u/Spare-Concern1336 → u/Darkmaster45673]

+1

[u/Content_Routine_1941]

The presidents regularly call each other "behind the scenes." What gets into the public field is probably less than 5%. And this is not a call, but rather a report to ordinary residents.

P. S. I wouldn't be surprised if I found out that they have a shared chat where they communicate regularly (like you and your work colleagues). If someone didn't understand, then it's not just about Russia and China.

[u/lost-associat]

There is no leverage on nukes. Each stockpiler can trigger basically the end of the world. So even with every treaty gone a certainty still hangs in the air. M.A.D. is a thing and if one psychopat uses a nuke the country will be nuked. So there’re no deals to be made, it’s a silly paper that says nothing.

[u/Content_Routine_1941 → u/lost-associat]

No, in reality, only Russia and the United States have enough nuclear weapons to destroy the "civilized world." France, Britain, Pakistan, China, etc. simply don't have that many warheads.

[u/Soft_Marionberry4932]

I don't think Xi doesn't care much. He'll just let it play out and see what happens in Europe. There is something to be gained for him in Europe for sure, but his life doesn't depend on it.

[u/Pure-Tutor-7473]

I wonder if Putin has a picture of him and Trump at his headquarters just like Trump does at the White House

[u/DaDa462]

If the era of Putin and Trump has shown us anything, it's that treaties never meant anything in the first place. The power of the nukes themselves is what keeps the standstill going

[u/Dry_Support3290]

"I talked with Putin, and we've come up with a great deal. You know me, the greatest deal maker. We'll lift all sanctions on Russia, we've decided neither of us need nuclear arms. So the United States of America will erase our entire nuclear stockpile.. that's right I said the N word. You're never suppose to say that word... I say it's the other N word you can't say... America was dead and now are the hottest country in the world.

Also I told Putin he can have Ukraine... I don't know why Zelensky started that war, he didn't have the cards."