Biden Nuclear Advisor Hints At Expansion Of US Nuclear Inventory

Reuters carrying comments from Pranay Vaddi, Senior Director for Arms Control at the White House National Security Council, outlining a "more competitive approach" to arms control in a speech to the Arms Control Association and responding to hawkish remarks from Russian President Vladimir Putin on nuclear weapons today.

• Vaddi says: “Adversaries are blatantly disregarding international non-proliferation regimes,” and in response, “the Biden administration is adopting more competitive approach to arms control, non-proliferation.”
• Vaddi says the US, “has no choice but to adjust US nuclear posture and capabilities to preserve deterrence, stability.”
• Vaddi: "Without a change in trajectory that Russia, the PRC, and North Korea are on, the United States will need to continue to adjust our posture and capabilities to ensure our ability to deter and meet other objectives going forward."
• Vaddi: "...we may reach a point in the coming years where an increase from the current [US] numbers is required. And we need to be fully prepared to execute if the President makes that decision..."
• Vaddi: "The reality is that further enhancing our capabilities and posture is incredibly important to rejuvenating strategic arms control. It will incentivise Russia and the PRC to engage in arms control, frame the subject at the heart of those engagements..."
• Vaddi adds that the US, “cannot allow Russian nuclear threats to deter US Military aid to Ukraine.”
• Vaddi: “Agreement to limits on strategic nuclear weapons in any new deal with Russia to be 'impacted' by 'size and scale' of Chinese buildup.”