The Deputy Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of Russia Says The US Has Not Responded To The New START Proposal

JAKARTA - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov in an interview said the United States had not yet responded to Moscow's proposed New Strategic Arms Reduction Agreement (New START).

Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov pointed out US leader Donald Trump called Russia's President Vladimir Putin's proposal to extend the restrictions set out in the agreement a "good idea," alongside denuclearization.

"However, we are not talking about denuclearization. So far, there has been no progress. I believe it is too early to comment on Washington's overall stance regarding this proposal, despite a positive signal from President Trump," said Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov. November 19.

"I assume the relevant experts in Washington, who are currently analyzing, accessing, and developing various options, are likely not yet at a stage where something definitive can be said to be related to this issue," explained the senior Russian diplomat.

Ryabkov noted that Russia has "placed signs that are pretty clear for the future." "We believe it is very important to adhere to these signs so that they can tread a more direct path forward. I don't know if we will succeed," he said.

"The framework set by President Putin's proposal is a call for other parties to act responsibly. This is crucial both for the security of our country and for cost efficiency. If there are parties in Washington who decide to notify President Trump that supporting Russia's initiative could reduce the possibility of closing the government in the future, this may help or may not," said the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister.

"As long as the United States does not significantly violate strategic balance or take any action that is a violation of our security interests - either through the development of its offensive and strategic defensive potential - then we can comply with bilateral core quantitative limits from the New START Agreement for one year, with further assessment of further developments," Ryabkov explained.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced at a meeting of the Russian Security Council on September 22, Moscow is ready to maintain compliance with the quantitative restrictions outlined in the agreement for another year after the document ends in February.

Russia has stated it is willing to voluntarily extend the warhead limit set out in the New START agreement, which expires in February, if the United States is willing to do the same. Washington has not officially approved the proposal.

However, he stressed the move would only apply if Washington did the same.

Responding to TASS's question on October 5, US President Donald Trump said the Russian President's proposal was a "good idea".