MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. Russia and the United States have been discussing the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) in recent days through closed channels, continuation of contacts on this issue is not ruled out, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS on Wednesday.

"I can confirm that in recent days we have had discussions on the New START issue through closed channels, this is an indisputable fact. They [the discussions] may continue," Ryabkov said.

The senior diplomat pointed out that the Americans were interested in some details of Russia's decision on New START, in particular, they asked "when there would be an official notification of the suspension which is required in this case". According to Ryabkov, the Russian side said that as soon as Russian President Vladimir Putin "will sign the relevant law, which was done yesterday, a notification will follow immediately".

Putin announced his decision to suspend Russia's participation in New START in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly. The president stressed that Russia was not withdrawing from the treaty, but before discussing the continuation of work under this treaty, the country must understand for itself how New START would take into account the arsenals not only of the United States, but also of other NATO nuclear powers: the UK and France.