In early June 1973, United States president Richard Nixon wrote to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, as a precursor to Brezhnev’s visit to Washington DC later that month. The letter discusses the planned Agreement on the Prevention of Nuclear War, and contains statements of agreement and goodwill:

“Dear Mr. General Secretary,

I have read with great interest the account you so kindly sent me of your visit to the Federal Republic and the conversations you held with [West German] Chancellor Brandt. It is evident that the visit was a fruitful one and produced very favourable results. Both you and the Chancellor are to be congratulated.

We are now in the final stages of preparing for your historic visit to this country. All the signs point to an outcome that will further strengthen the beneficial relations between our two countries and the prospects for lasting peace in the world. I should like in this letter to review certain of the major items on our agenda…

We have now completed the work of drafting an agreement on the question of the prevention of nuclear war. The agreement that we will sign will be of truly historical importance. Building as it does on the basic principles we signed last year, this agreement will undoubtedly be a most important aspect of our meetings. I profoundly hope, as I know you do, Mr. General Secretary, that in signing it, we will be taking a significant step not only toward reducing the danger of a devastating nuclear war, but also toward creating the conditions in the world where wars of any kind and the use of force will no longer afflict mankind. That we have taken this step while fully recognising and respecting the rights and interests of other countries, is a mark of statesmanship.

I am convinced that as our relations improve and worldwide peace is strengthened, additional important steps toward the ultimate exclusion of wars will become possible.

The negotiations that have produced this agreement have lasted for more than a year during which we have had many frank exchanges on the complex and delicate issues involved. Both of us will, of course, be expected to assess and interpret the meaning and significance of our agreement…

The effect of our prospective agreement would undoubtedly be further enhanced by our ability to record, during your visit, additional progress toward the limitation of strategic armaments. I had hoped that we might be able to agree on some specific measures, but the joint statement which we have been discussing should give our negotiators a new impetus so that the talks can be accelerated…

On European affairs, there have been many favourable developments and we will have the opportunity to review the two important current projects… We will also want to review the situation in Indochina as well as in the Middle East. I share your concern that the situation in the Middle East is potentially explosive and I appreciate that we are both working toward the same objective of a solution that is just for all the parties and at the same time a durable one…

As regards our bilateral cooperation, it now is clear that there will be several new areas in which agreements can be concluded during your visit. On some matters, we could also provide guidance for further negotiation to be conducted after our meeting. We will, of course, want to go into the question of expanding our economic ties. I have reviewed your discussion with Dr. Kissinger on the long-term relationship that might develop between our two countries. I agree substantially with the directions you indicated…

We all look forward to repaying the splendid hospitality shown to us in the Soviet Union last year.”

Sincerely,
Richard Nixon