The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey lavrovwarned this Monday that the freezing of the dialogue on stability strategic with the United States multiply the risks.
“We note with regret that at this time the strategic dialogue between Russia and the US, holders of the largest nuclear arsenals (…) is kept frozen by Washington,” Lavrov said in a video message to participants in the Moscow Conference on Nuclear Non-Proliferation.
The head of Russian diplomacy recalled that the last tangible result of the joint efforts of Russia and the United States has been the agreement to extend the Treaty for five years START III either new STARTof strategic arms reduction, until February 5, 2026.
“It is clear that due to the absence of negotiating work to maintain strategic stability, existing problems will accumulate. This may entail a multiplication of risks“, said.
Lavrov stressed that the US and NATO policy aiming in fact at an armed conflict with Russia represents a “serious threat”.
“Clearly this can lead to direct conflict between nuclear powers with catastrophic consequences,” he stressed.
The minister assured that Moscow is forced to periodically send “warning signs” about this situation. “But instead of paying attention to these, the West maliciously misrepresents them and accuses us of using threatening rhetoric,” he said.
The US suspended the dialogue on arms control after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia in turn informed Washington in August of its decision to ban US inspections in situ of its arsenal of nuclear weapons, alleging difficulties in doing the same in the US due to Western sanctions regarding overflight permits and granting of visas to Russian officials.
Before resuming the dialogue on November 29 in Egypt, Russia unilaterally postponed the meetings of the bilateral consultative commission with the US on the New START.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov explained this decision as the “unwillingness” of the US to take Russian priorities into account and for focusing solely on its desire to resume inspection of the Russian arsenal.
(With information from EFE)
Keep reading:
Russia postponed negotiations with the US on the arms treaty
The Pentagon called on Russia to maintain open and fluid communication despite the war in Ukraine
Source-www.infobae.com