Great Power Summit Held Between US and Russian President

What is the News?

U.S President and Russian President have concluded their Great Power summit meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

Key Discussions during the summit:
  • Return of Ambassadors: The US and Russia will return their Ambassadors to their posts in a bid to lower tensions.
    • Russia’s Ambassador to the US was recalled when the US President described the Russian President as a killer.
  • Nuclear Arms Control: The two countries have agreed to begin negotiations on nuclear talks. It is to potentially replace the New START treaty after it expires in 2026.
  • Prisoners Swap: The countries discussed a potential prisoner swap. But no agreement was reached.
  • Cyber Attacks: Russia has denied the accusations of cyberattacks from Russia on US critical infrastructure. He instead blamed that most cyber-attacks in Russia originated from the US.
  • Human Rights: The US has called out Russia on Human Rights issues. The US raised the issue of jailed opposition leaders in Russia and about his condition.
About New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty):
  • New START Treaty is a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation. It was signed in 2010.
    • The treaty had replaced the 1991 START I treaty which expired in 2009.
  • Purpose: The treaty limits the US and Russia to possess a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers, well below Cold War caps.
  • Duration of the Treaty: The duration of the treaty is ten years and can be extended for a period of no more than five years at a time.
    • The treaty was to expire in 2021. But it has been extended for five more years, i.e till February 2026.

Source: The Hindu

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