OREANDA-NEWS. Reuters agency reported that US officials in talks with Russia which will be held in Geneva on July 17, intend to discuss a possible tripartite treaty on nuclear weapons with China.

As the source of the agency said, if the meeting turns out to be successful, it would give more clarity about attitude of the Chinese towards this matter, according to the Russians.

At the same time, the United States do not expect a breakthrough with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), and consider it premature to discuss the extension of the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty).

One of the officials noted that the dialogue on the New START-3, which expires in February 2021 and can be extended for 5 years, is a question for the next year.

On July 13, it became known that the head of the American delegation at the Geneva talks would be the first US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan. Sullivan will be accompanied by Andrea Thompson, the Deputy Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. Russia will be represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov.

After the talks, the US delegates will go to Brussels, where they will inform NATO allies about the results of the meeting with the Russian representatives.

On July 3, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law on the stay of the INF Treaty. This decision was a response to the US withdrawal from the agreement. Washington accused Moscow of violating the treaty because of the 9M729 missile, the flight range of which exceeds accepted standards.

On July 4, Ryabkov said that Moscow still does not have an understanding of whether Washington is ready to extend the New START.