Russian Ambassador: It's Time for Arms Control Talk with Russia / Lt Col Daniel Davis

Daniel Davis Deep Dive Merch: Etsy store

The discussion centers on Russia’s new nuclear-capable missile and its implications for global security and US-Russia relations.

Russia’s Motivation: Despite already having the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, Russia seeks new delivery systems like the Burevestnik missile to ensure it can overcome missile defenses and maintain credible deterrence. The goal is to strengthen its strategic security and deterrence posture.

Trump’s Reaction: Former President Trump dismissed Russia’s missile test, emphasizing that the US already has powerful nuclear submarines near Russia and suggesting Putin should focus on ending the war in Ukraine instead of testing weapons.

Diplomatic View: Russian diplomats argue that Trump’s remarks show inconsistency and a lack of coherent US policy. They urge renewed, realistic arms control talks rather than condescending postures from Washington. Both sides, they say, need to “dance” again in genuine dialogue, as the current silence benefits no one.

On the War in Ukraine: Russia criticizes shifting US positions—sometimes calling for ceasefires, sometimes for total Ukrainian victory—and says that mere ceasefires are meaningless without addressing the deeper causes of the conflict, which Moscow traces back to the failed Minsk agreements. They claim Ukraine and its Western backers used those deals to prepare for war, not peace.

Current Russian Stance: Moscow maintains that only a long-term, negotiated settlement—based on “root causes”—can end the war, not temporary truces that would let Ukraine rearm.

US Sanctions and the “Shadow Fleet”: US advisers urge stronger sanctions, including 500% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil and targeting Russia’s so-called “ghost fleet” of tankers. Russia dismisses the “shadow fleet” as a made-up term with no legal basis and says past attempts to seize ships were baseless and quickly reversed.

Overall Message: Russia views the US approach as erratic and confrontational, calling instead for serious, equal-level diplomacy and arms control engagement to prevent escalation and a worsening global arms race.