The Voice News I MOSCOW — The Kremlin suggested on Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s ambitious plans for a $175-billion missile defense system, dubbed the “Golden Dome,” could prompt renewed nuclear arms control discussions between Russia and the United States.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that while the development of the Golden Dome missile shield is a sovereign decision of the United States, it may create pressure that forces both countries to reengage in dialogue on strategic arms limitations. Peskov highlighted Moscow’s longstanding concerns that expanded U.S. missile defenses could destabilize the global strategic balance.
“Such moves inevitably affect the security environment and, as a result, may lead to the resumption of arms control contacts, which we hope will happen in the foreseeable future,” Peskov said, emphasizing Russia’s openness to dialogue despite current tensions.
The Golden Dome system is envisioned as a comprehensive shield designed to protect the U.S. mainland against ballistic missile attacks. Trump’s administration has portrayed it as a key element of national defense, while critics warn it risks escalating an arms race and undermining existing treaties such as New START.
Relations between Moscow and Washington have been strained for years due to conflicts in Ukraine, allegations of election interference, and divergent security policies. Since the collapse of previous arms control agreements, efforts to negotiate new limits on nuclear arsenals have stalled.
Analysts say the unveiling of the Golden Dome project could act as a catalyst for both powers to reconsider the necessity of arms control frameworks, particularly as technological advances in missile defense and offensive capabilities accelerate.
The Kremlin’s comments come amid growing international concern over the erosion of global arms control architecture and the risk of renewed strategic competition between the world’s two largest nuclear powers. Russia has repeatedly warned that the expansion of U.S. missile defenses near its borders threatens its deterrent capabilities and regional stability.
While the Trump administration has yet to provide detailed technical specifications or timelines for the Golden Dome system, the announcement signals a significant shift in U.S. defense strategy, potentially reshaping the future of global nuclear diplomacy.