MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. Russia sees no evidence that the United States has altered its stance, which is destructive and leaves no chance to proceed with "work as before", on the New START Treaty, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS on Wednesday.

"We see no indication that there has been any change in the United States’ position, which is rather destructive and leaves no chance of carrying on work as before," the high-ranking diplomat said in response to a question.

The Treaty between the United States and Russia on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) was signed in 2010 and took effect on February 5, 2011.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his February 21 address to the Federal Assembly that Russia was suspending its participation in the New START treaty. He clarified that changes were long overdue, since NATO includes some other nuclear powers, besides the United States. Before proceeding with work on the treaty, it is necessary to figure out how their arsenals will be accounted for, the Russian president said.