Ninety-one percent of registered voters think the United States should negotiate a new agreement with Russia to either maintain current limits on nuclear weapons or further reduce both nations’ arsenals. The current New START nuclear limitations treaty expires on Feb. 5.
The United States and Russia own nearly 90 percent of the world’ s nuclear weapons. When New START expires, there will be no limits capping the number of nuclear weapons. The majority of Americans, 87 percent, believe President Donald Trump should agree to Russia’s proposal to continue abiding by the limits imposed by the treaty for at least another year.
Other findings include:
If all limits on the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals were to be removed, 72 percent of registered voters believe the United States would be less secure.
Slightly more than half, 54 percent, said they are more likely to vote for a political candidate who favors making a deal with Russia to maintain current limits or further reduce both countries’ arsenals. Only 6 percent said this would make them less likely to vote for a candidate while 41 percent said it would make no difference.
The Nuclear Threat Initiative and ReThink Media commissioned the poll of 1,000 registered voters.