Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow remains prepared to talk with the US about preserving the INF and New START Treaties, as well US missile defense.

Speaking at a press conference after talks with OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger in Moscow on Friday, Lavrov said that Russia’s proposals aimed at reducing risks of military incidents in the Euro-Atlantic region are still on the table.

“We are interested in saving [the INF] and regret the US’ announced intention to withdraw from the treaty,” the top Russian diplomat said.

“We have expressed our readiness to discuss the present situation, but as we understand it, the US decision is final. It will be announced officially soon, and a six-month countdown will begin, after which the decision to terminate the contract will become a reality,” Lavrov lamented.

Russia also remains ready to prolong the New START strategic arms reduction treaty after it expires in 2021. “But in order to realize this possibility, it’s necessary to settle the existing problems related to the implementation of the agreement,” Lavrov said.

In any event, the foreign minister stressed that the situation of a lack of dialogue with the US on arms control using diplomatic channels which are currently “frozen” is simply “unacceptable.”

Established channels of dialogue “have not been used for quite a long period, which, of course, creates a situation which is unacceptable from the point of view of global security interests,” the Russian FM said.

Moscow has consistently pushed for negotiations, both with the Obama administration, and “from the very first days” of President Trump’s term, according to Lavrov.

Source: Sputnik