Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement about the successful test of the unmanned underwater vehicle Poseidon, British geopolitical analyst Alexander Mercouris has urged Washington to begin immediate negotiations with Moscow on nuclear deterrence.

Mercouris, speaking in an interview with former U. S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis, said the United States must move quickly to discuss this new weapon with Russia and reach an agreement on extending the New START treaty.

He stressed that the White House should focus urgently on arms control and nuclear weapons oversight to prevent a potential catastrophe.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the U.S. president has instructed the Pentagon to start preparing for a nuclear weapons test without delay.