OREANDA-NEWS. Moscow is not ready to extend the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) on the terms proposed by Washington. This was announced by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov.

So, Russian diplomat commented on an interview with Marshall Billingslea, US special presidential envoy for arms control, during which he called the terms of the new agreement voiced by Washington as a good deal. “We have proposed a shorter period of time [Than Russia’s proposal to extend the START for five years. – Ed.]. We cannot take our foot off the pedal, as they say, so we need to get down to drawing up the next agreement. That’s why we are thinking about a shorter period of time,” Billingslea said.

Ryabkov responded that the proposal of the United States is nothing but ultimatum, so it is unacceptable for Moscow.

At the end of August, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov called the conditions of the White House for extending START unrealistic. The politician noted that Washington is obsessed with its assessments of the imperfection of the treaty and called negotiations with the American side tiresome.