Thread by @jseldin

NEW: US does not planning bigger nuclear arsenal to dter #Russia #China Nat'l Security Adviser @JakeSullivan46 tells #ACA2023

"The United States does not need to increase our nuclear forces to outnumber the combined total of our competitors in order to successfully deter them"

"Nor does the United States need to deploy ever more dangerous nuclear weapons to maintain deterrence" vs #Russia, #China, per @JakeSullivan46

"Effective deterrence means that we have a better approach not a more approach"

"We believe in the current context, we have the number and type of capabilities today that we need' to deter #Russia, #China per @JakeSullivan46

But he adds the US is preparing to ensure deterrence in the future, too

"We're modernizing our nuclear program here at home" per @JakeSullivan46 "...replacing each leg of our nuclear triad: land based ICBMs ballistic missile submarines and nuclear capable bombers..."

"...replacing aging capabilities with next generation systems" per @JakeSullivan46

"And it means investing in our nuclear complex & defense industry to help ensure that we have a responsive nuclear enterprise & a resilient base for long term competition"

Also to enhance deterrence vs #Russia #China, "we're investing in cutting edge non-nuclear capabilities...capabilities like conventionally armed hypersonic missiles that can reach heavily defended high value targets" per @JakeSullivan46

Arms control talks - US willing to talk to #Russia, #China "without preconditions" per White House Nat'l Security Adviser Jake Sullivan

"Without preconditions does not mean without accountability" he adds "We will still hold nuclear powers accountable for reckless behavior..."

"...and we will still hold our adversaries and competitors responsible for upholding nuclear agreements" per @JakeSullivan46

US sees chance for arms control talks w/#Russia despite current tensions, Russian invasion of #Ukraine

"There is a track record of our 2 countries being capable of engaging in these kinds of discussions" per @JakeSullivan46, pointing to #ColdWar arms control talks, agreements

Arms control talks w/#China - US ready but it depends on #Beijing coming to the table

"The very first thing that is necessary is for us to get this conversation going in a real way" per @JakeSullivan46

"The PRC could make the bold decision to engage directly w/the UnitedStates in discussions of strategic stability & nuclear risk" per @JakeSullivan46

"It would be the responsible thing to do" but "we have not as of yet seen the PRC be willing to engage in that conversation"