How Vladimir Putin is playing Trump on nuclear arms control

Vladimir Putin is playing President Trump in ongoing United States-Russia nuclear arms talks. While Trump deserves credit for trying to reach a new arms control agreement, he must recognize the nature of the negotiating party he is dealing with.

The talks are centered on extending the New START nuclear arms treaty, which is due to expire. Limiting strategic launches and deployed nuclear warheads, an extension would mitigate the risk of an existentially destructive nuclear conflict. It would also serve as a stepping stone toward eventual nuclear disarmament. Its pursuit is a noble endeavor.