OREANDA-NEWS  Russia is ready for a serious discussion on the entire strategic agenda of relations with the United States. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview with the Serbian newspaper "Politika".

According to the Russian leader, Moscow is open to further dialogue on finding ways to preserve the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF Treaty), despite the intentions of Washington to withdraw from the agreement. Russia in December sent the Americans concrete proposals in this regard, Putin added, noting Moscow's readiness “for a serious conversation and on the entire strategic agenda " between the countries.

According to the Russian leader, USA are in effect with the aim of dismantling the system of arms control, which restricts them in the military build-up, or trying to follow selected regulations as appropriate to their interests. As Putin noted, Washington's statement of intention to withdraw from the INF TREATY was another link in the chain of such actions, and "the consequences of such a policy will be the most negative."

Moscow is not going to "turn a blind eye" to the deployment of us missiles, which pose a direct threat to the security of the Russian Federation, Putin said, adding that the Russian side will be forced to take effective retaliatory measures. At the same time," Russia, as a responsible and sensible country, is not interested in a new arms race," the Russian President concluded.

During a large press conference on December 20, Putin expressed the hope that the inhabitants of the Earth will have enough sense of self-preservation to avoid a nuclear disaster.

At the same time, he noted that the underestimation of this threat is growing in the world.

The head of state stressed that the international system of arms control and arms race deterrence is falling apart.