Moscow is ready for the fact that the United States may decide not to extend the current Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-3), and does not intend to save it at any cost, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said.
"Yes, we are definitely ready. This has been repeatedly stated by the President of Russia, the Americans know that we will not save this Treaty at any cost, especially at the price they want from us, "Ryabkov said during an online session of the Primakov readings, answering the question whether Moscow is ready to live without the START Treaty.
"We believe that it is mutually beneficial and necessary for both sides. It is an essential factor that ensures international security and strengthens strategic stability. It would be optimal to extend it, if possible, for the maximum period stipulated in the text of the agreement, namely for five years, " Ryabkov added.
He stressed that on June 22, during consultations in Vienna, "this was confirmed to the Americans."
The START-3 remains the only existing arms limitation Treaty between Russia and the United States. It will cease to operate after February 5, 2021. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously offered to extend the agreement for five years without preconditions.
The US seeks to strengthen its dominance in the world
Washington, according to Ryabkov, seeks to strengthen its own dominance in the world, including defiantly violating international law.
"I think that we should not focus on the US policy on the power factor, but on the desire of the US to maintain and, if possible, strengthen the position of its own dominance in various areas," he said.
In particular, we are talking about dominating the global payment system, where it is not yet possible to create competition with the US. In addition, Ryabkov noted that Washington actively applied sanctions as a mechanism to promote its interests. As for the use of force, although the administration of President Donald Trump did not start major wars, it used force in Syria in violation of the UN Charter.
"In general, the trademark of the United States in recent years is a defiant, open and absolutely demonstrative violation of the most fundamental norms and principles of international law, many international agreements," Ryabkov said.
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Photo: Anton Novoderezhkin / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti