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Russia to continue contact with US under New START when necessary — senior diplomat

"Moscow does not give up dialogue and we are open for it," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said

MOSCOW, March 10. /TASS/. Moscow will keep communication with Washington under the Strategic Offensive Arms Reduction and Limitation Treaty (New START) when necessary but no substantial progress can be observed on this track, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview with RT Arabic on Friday.

"The contact with the Americans will continue as and when necessary. We cannot say that we have some significant results. But Moscow does not give up dialogue and we are open for it," the senior Russian diplomat stressed.

The New START Treaty signed between Russia and the United States stipulates nuclear arsenal reductions by both countries. In his annual address to the Federal Assembly on February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a decision to suspend Russia’s participation in the New START Treaty. The Russian leader explained that changes were long overdue as there were also other nuclear powers in NATO, apart from the United States. Before continuing the work under the treaty, Russia needs to understand how their nuclear arsenals will be counted, Putin stressed.

The Russian leader signed a law on March 1, suspending Russia’s participation in the New START Treaty.