Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Says Participation of UK and France Is a Key Condition for US-Russia Nuclear Arms Talks

Deputy Russian Foreign Minister: Without the participation of the UK and France, the U.S.-Russia dialogue on the New START Treaty will not proceed

Alexander Grushko, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, said in an interview with "Izvestia" that without the participation of the United Kingdom and France, the dialogue between the United States and Russia on the New START Treaty will not make progress.

When answering the question whether Moscow considers the participation of the UK and France a necessary condition for strategic security dialogue, Grushko pointed out: "In any such potential dialogue, we must take into account the comprehensive nuclear capability of NATO countries."

"Izvestia" quoted Grushko's report saying: "If substantive dialogue on further reduction of nuclear arsenals is initiated in the absence of the participation of the UK and France, things will certainly not make progress."

He added that the United States has again deployed special munitions in the UK to carry out NATO's "joint nuclear missions." He believes this confirms that Russia's position is correct, that it is impossible to ignore NATO's comprehensive capabilities.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847913018013708/

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