National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke at a gathering of the Washington Arms Control Association, outlining how the United States plans to keep Russia informed about ballistic missile launches and major strategic power exercises. The talk, shared to a broad audience through a livestream, emphasized a continuing commitment to transparency and prior notice in high-stakes, armament-related activities. In the current security landscape, the message was clear: the U.S. will uphold a practice of notifying Moscow ahead of significant strategic activities, a protocol that has long shaped trust and predictability in intergovernmental communications surrounding missile and command-and-control operations.
Sullivan asserted, with specificity and confidence, that the United States will maintain proactive communication with Russia about ballistic missile launches and large-scale strategic drills. The remarks underscored a norm of openness intended to prevent miscalculation and reduce the risk of misinterpretation during moments of technical testing or force readiness assessments. The assurance comes as part of a broader policy framework aimed at sustaining strategic stability through timely information sharing, even as the geopolitical environment evolves with new challenges and shifting alliances. The emphasis was on predictable behavior, the value of timely data, and the belief that informed stakeholders are less likely to misread intentions during periods of heightened military activity.
Previously, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance announced a transition in practice, effective from June 1, that would modify how Russia is informed about the status and position of U.S. strategic weapons within START’s scope. Washington indicated that it would discontinue providing Russia with telemetry information related to the launches of American intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The pivot reflected a careful balancing act between transparency and national security, inviting ongoing dialogue about what level of detail is appropriate for public or foreign intelligence access while maintaining clear lines of communication on critical strategic questions. Stakeholders across government and defense communities watched closely as officials outlined how such telemetry data would be managed going forward, including considerations of risk, verification, and the overall impact on strategic risk management and arms control commitments in the region.