Arms control talks possible only if U.S. abandons hostile policy towards Russia: Deputy FM

MOSCOW, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) — Dialogue on strategic stability can resume only if the United States abandons its anti-Russian policy, local media reported Thursday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
“Any prospects for dialogue on strategic stability and issues regarding what might happen after the expiration of the New START Treaty in 2026 … are possible only after we see some real improvement in American policy and actions,” Ryabkov said.
The New START, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty in force between the two countries, can be extended by a maximum of five years. Russia and the United States officially extended the treaty by five years on Feb. 3, 2021.
He added that Moscow would be ready to resume arms control talks with Washington only if the United States fully rejects the “anti-Russian obsession” that dominates its foreign policy.
Ryabkov said Russia would continue to warn Israel against any potential attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it catastrophic and “a total disregard for the fundamental principles of ensuring nuclear safety.” ■