Ryabkov made statements to journalists about the New START Treaty between Russia and the USA.
Expressing that they are ready to discuss various issues with the USA, Ryabkov said that there is a possibility of meeting with the US representatives within the scope of the conference on disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ryabkov said, “I can confirm that we have been discussing the New START Treaty over closed channels in the last days. This is an indisputable fact. These talks can be a continuation.”
On the other hand, reminding that Russia suspended its participation in the New START Treaty with the USA, Ryabkov emphasized that it is not possible to review this decision.
Ryabkov said, “We said we would say it. The President of Russia (Vladimir Putin) made the point in his speech to the Federal Assembly. The Russian Foreign Ministry also stated in its statement on February 21 that the agreement was different from the day it was prepared and signed, and that it could not stand it.”
In his speech to the Federal Assembly on February 21, Vladimir Putin announced that they suspended Russia’s participation in the New START Treaty with the United States, and signed the law that suspended this agreement yesterday.
The New START Treaty, which is the continuation of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties (START 1 and START 2) signed by the USA with the Soviet Union in 1991 and with the Russian Federation in 1993, is the last nuclear treaty in force between Washington and Moscow.
The treaty imposes restrictions on long-range nuclear warheads and missiles. The 10-year agreement, which entered into force on February 5, 2011, expired on February 5, 2021.
Russian President Putin signed the decision to extend the treaty for 5 years on January 29, 2021. The US administration also announced its decision to extend the treaty on February 5, 2021.