Egypt hosted US, China, Russia, France, UK nuclear talks

Egypt hosted US, China, Russia, France, UK nuclear talks

Diplomatic and military officials from the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France convened in Egypt’s capital last week to discuss nuclear nonproliferation issues, the Biden administration announced Friday.

The sides met June 13-14 to discuss “strategic risk reduction, as well as nuclear doctrines and policy,” the State Department said in a press release announcing the meetings.

The US side “welcomed the professional approach of the delegations and the inclusion of defense officials in the thematic discussions,” the release read. “The United States will continue efforts to facilitate discussion among nuclear experts from these five countries on these important topics.”

Why it matters: The two-day talks in Cairo followed a previous working-group-level meeting held in Dubai in February. That marked the longest such meeting between the five powers on the subject since the Paris conference in 2021.

The selection of the Middle East as a location suggests the various sides increasingly see the region, once squarely within Washington's sphere of influence, to be more neutral territory.

The Biden administration is attempting to build rapport with China and Russia on nuclear nonproliferation issues to set groundwork for future treaties.

Earlier this month, the White House announced it was willing to engage with Russia and China