AMERICA
UNITED STATES: New Start Treaty on the Limitation of Nuclear Weapons extended by five years

On Wednesday, 03 February 2021, the United States extended the validity of the New Start Treaty on the Limitation of Nuclear Weapons concluded with Russia for five years. The last major agreement between the two countries was due to expire on Friday.
The New Start Treaty on the Limitation of Nuclear Weapons has been extended for five years by the United States and Russia. “The extension of the New START Treaty ensures that we have verifiable limits on ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles), SLBM (Strategic Sea-Ground Ballistic Missiles) and Russian heavy bombers until February 5, 2026.”, said State Secretary Antony Blinken in a public statement. “Extending the new Start Treaty makes the United States, its allies and the world safer. Unconstrained nuclear competition would put us all at risk,” he added.
This treaty, which came into force in 2011, capped the arsenal of the two major powers at 700 intercontinental ballistic missiles, ballistic missiles aboard submarines and heavy bombers, at 1,550 nuclear warheads and launchers at 800 each. This represents a reduction of 30% from the previous ceiling set in 2002 and 90% from the peak observed at the height of the Cold War.
However, the agreement does not limit the number of inactive nuclear warheads stored and the so-called tactical nuclear weapons (Washington has a total of 5,800 and Moscow 6,375). The latter, aimed at the destruction of key infrastructures, have a relatively limited power of a few kilotons, often against several megatons for strategic deterrence weapons.
This extension, without any modifications or additions, had been settled by a telephone interview, on 26 January 2021, between the new President of the United States, Joe Biden, and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. This is contrary to the Trump administration’s position that this agreement does not guarantee the security interests of the United States, if China is not included.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his part, last week promulgated a law extending the validity of the same treaty by five years. He said the text would take effect as soon as the two countries had finalized the necessary diplomatic and legislative procedures.
Although the Trump administration has already tried to link China to the new Start Treaty, without success, Biden still intends to negotiate a nuclear arms control treaty with Beijing.
AMERICA
BRAZIL – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on a state visit to France on June 5 and 6, 2025

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be on a state visit to France on 5 and 6 June. He will be welcomed in Paris by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, accompanied by his wife Rosângela Lula da Silva.
This official trip comes as a follow-up to the renewed action plan between France and Brazil, sealed during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Brazil in March 2024. Objective: to strengthen bilateral cooperation in strategic areas such as defense, economy, biodiversity, energy transition, culture and the fight against disinformation.
This high-level meeting is also part of a busy international agenda for both countries. It precedes by a few days the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which will be held in Nice from 9 to 13 June, as well as the COP30 of Belém next November. Two major events where France and Brazil plan to unite their voices to advance global environmental issues.
The visit will also be part of the 2025 Brazil-France Season, an exceptional cultural program that highlights the Brazilian artistic and intellectual scene throughout the country.
AMERICA
UNITED STATES – Donald Trump wants to restart negotiations between Russia and Ukraine

Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the White House, reaffirmed on Monday, June 2, 2025, the willingness of US President Donald Trump to see Russia and Ukraine begin peace negotiations. During a press conference, she insisted on the importance of direct dialogue between the two parties to end a conflict that has already cost too many human lives.
Speaking to reporters, Leavitt recalled that President Trump strongly supports a return to the negotiating table, drawing in particular on previous talks held in Istanbul. “The president wants the two leaders, along with their delegations, to sit at the negotiating table. Today, we saw that this was possible thanks to his insistence,” she said, while specifying that only Trump will express himself in detail on his position.
Asked about a recent drone attack attributed to Ukraine and targeting Russian territory, Leavitt preferred to insist on the need for a de-escalation. “This war must now end. It has been merciless for both sides, and far too many lives have been lost,” she said.
These remarks, relayed by the Anadolu agency and translated from Turkish by Ayse Betul Akcesme, reflect a new direction in the communication of the White House, emphasizing the role that Washington wishes to play to encourage a diplomatic solution.
Although President Trump has not yet spoken personally about these recent developments, his spokesperson suggests that an initiative in favor of peace could take shape in the coming weeks.
Photo credit: White House
AMERICA
UNITED STATES – Elon Musk leaves the Trump ship

Elon Musk announced the end of his role as a special government employee in President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday, 29 May 2025, marking the conclusion of his involvement with the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk, who had been appointed to lead efforts to reduce federal bureaucracy and public spending, expressed his gratitude to President Trump for this opportunity to serve.
In a post on his social media platform X, Musk wrote, “Grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to serve. It was a difficult but rewarding experience.”
Shortly after his message, a White House official confirmed his departure and indicated that his resignation process “will begin this evening.”
Musk’s departure comes after his public criticism of President Trump’s “great and beautiful bill”, a legislative package that includes tax cuts and immigration control measures but significantly increases the federal deficit.
Musk described the bill as counterproductive to the DOGE’s mission and expressed disappointment.
During his tenure, Musk has implemented drastic cost-cutting measures through the DOGE, including mass layoffs and termination of federal contracts. These actions have led to strong criticism, protests – including against Tesla – and dozens of lawsuits, as well as concerns about attempts to access private government data.
A federal judge recently allowed a complaint filed by 14 American states against Musk and the DOGE to proceed.
This complaint accuses Musk and the DOGE of unconstitutional actions, including unauthorized access to government data systems, cancellation of federal contracts and dismissal of federal employees.
Musk plans to refocus on his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, and reduce his political contributions. Despite initial optimism, Musk admitted his frustration with bureaucratic resistance in Washington.
The White House plans to implement some of the reductions recommended by the DOGE through budget cancellations. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that this bill will increase deficits by $3.8 trillion over a decade, while regulators remain skeptical of claims that it will be deficit-neutral.
Sources: AP
Photo credit: Elon Musk page
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