Russia To Raise Nuclear Trial Preparation Issues In Negotiations With The United States

JAKARTA - President Vladimir Putin said Russia would raise the issue of preparing for nuclear trials in upcoming negotiations with the United States, as well as showing readiness to engage in broader negotiations on European security and strategic stability.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Thursday, President Putin said the American delegation is expected to arrive in Moscow next week and Russia plans to discuss "all strategic stability issues" with Washington.

"If they don't want to do anything about the New START agreement, that's okay," he said, referring to the pact which will end in February 2026, quoted from Anadolu November 28.

The US and Russia have long-standing arms control agreements, the Strategic Arms Reduction Agreement (New START) which took effect in February 2011.

On the same occasion President Putin said Russia was ready to officially confirm that they had no intention of attacking Europe.

"If they want to hear from us, yes, let's do it. We will note it, it doesn't matter," he said.

President Putin added that negotiations on proposals related to Ukraine will be led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky as senior representative and aide to Yuri Ushakov coordinating contact with the American side.

He said the draft plan discussed after the Geneva negotiations should be translated into diplomatic language.

"Every word is important," said President Putin.

The Kremlin leadership warned Russia had proposed negotiations on strategic issues during the previous administration, but discussions stalled in Washington at the time.

He reiterated that Russia wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine, although he said it is currently "illegally impossible", and that every decision must gain international recognition.

He added that Russia and the US are ready to discuss "specific issues" on strategic stability, saying the Americans appear to be considering Moscow's position. He referred to the previous exchange of opinions held "before Anchorage and after Alaska," without providing details.