After Putin shock on Ukraine war, Trump faces China setback on denuclearisation bid amid arms race

U.S. President Donald Trump floated a bold diplomatic initiative, announcing talks with Russia and China on nuclear disarmament. His remarks, however, drew a sharp rebuff from Beijing, which dismissed the idea as “unrealistic,” stressing the U.S. and Russia hold over 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons. Analysts note China is instead expanding its arsenal, aiming to triple stockpiles by 2035. Experts also suggest Putin may play along with Trump’s plan to ease sanctions, though Russia’s reliance on tactical nukes makes a breakthrough unlikely. Trump’s proposal coincided with the Putin-Xi show of unity at the SCO summit, seen as defiance of the West.