With just a year until the last remaining nuclear treaty between the United States and Russia expires, the Global Zero movement on Wednesday urged U.S. President Donald Trump to extend the pact and warned of the potential consequences if it ends.

"It would be gross negligence and the height of stupidity to let this moment pass."
—Derek Johnson, Global Zero

"Today marks a countdown to nuclear chaos," declared Derek Johnson, executive director of the international Global Zero movement for the elimination of nuclear weapons. The movement's statement noted that since Trump took office in 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to extend New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) at least twice, but Trump has demurred.

Johnson explained that "if Donald Trump lets New START expire, there will be no restraint, no inspection, no verification whatsoever of American and Russian nuclear activities for the first time since 1972. Both nations will be free to build even more nuclear weapons, with no obligation to declare, display, or control any of them. It will be a return to the most dangerous days of the Cold War, and the security of the entire planet hangs in the balance."

"The collapse of New START would be a global disaster—and can be avoided at the stroke of a pen," he said. "New START must be extended. No delays, no conditions. It's time to get this done."

Global Zero is circulating a petition that encourages both Trump and Putin to extend the treaty.

(article continues at link)