Putin and Xi condemn U.S. Golden Dome missile defense plan

In a joint statement issued Wednesday, the leaders of Russia and China formally condemned a proposed U.S. missile defense system as a major threat to global strategic stability. The rebuke came during a summit in Beijing between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which featured military honors and declarations of deepening bilateral ties.

The statement specifically criticized the "Golden Dome" project, an initiative announced by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. According to the document, the system aims to create an unlimited, multi-level global missile defense network designed to destroy all types of missiles from peer adversaries at any stage of flight, including before launch. Russian and Chinese officials argued this concept violates the fundamental principle linking strategic offensive and defensive weapons, thereby undermining stability.

The two nations also expressed regret over what they termed the "irresponsible policy" of the United States regarding nuclear arms control, citing the expiration of the New START treaty earlier this year without a replacement. Russia stated its support for China's position of refusing to...