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Russia ready to discuss preservation of Open Skies Treaty if US is ready as well

The Kremlin spokesman also disclosed that the presidents did not have time to discuss this issue in detail during the phone call

MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Russia can return to discussion of preservation of the Treaty on Open Skies, should the US show its interest in that, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday in the wake of a phone call between the leaders of Russia and the US.

"President Putin underscored that, after the US decided to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, Russia was looking for ways, opportunities to remain in the treaty. However, these searches were fruitless, and negotiations with the Europeans brought nothing positive. In this regard, Russia has made its decision," Peskov reminded. "However, there is still a temporal lag, and if our American partners are ready to somehow continue the discussion, such opportunity still remains."

He also disclosed that the presidents did not have time to discuss this issue in detail during the phone call.

"But they did noted that the discussion on the Open Skies Treaty can be continued," the spokesman said.

Commenting on whether Putin and Biden discussed the new Russian weapons, including the supersonic ones, as well as matters of regulation in this sphere, Peskov pointed out that such matters are being discussed at the expert level through Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

"These nuances were not discussed by the heads of states in any way," the spokesman added.

Commenting on the extension of the New START Treaty, the spokesman pointed out that it is the very same document that was in effect before, without any changes. He underscored that "there is a very important understanding and agreement that the extension of the New START is necessary."

"It is a highly important joint understanding that will be implemented," Peskov concluded.