THE United States was accused today of “microphone diplomacy” after Washington said it wanted to start arms control discussions with Russia and China.

During a United Nations security council meeting on nuclear non-proliferation on Monday, secretary-general Antonio Guterres called on the US and Russia to reopen negotiations.

He said that arms reduction “must be led by the holders of the largest nuclear arsenals, the US and the Russian Federation, who must find a way back to the negotiating table to fully implement the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and agree on its successor.”