Russia may revise its decision to suspend its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) when the US stops its reckless anti-Russian campaign, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters on Wednesday.
"There has to be a change in Washington's behavioral model. If we see some common sense, if we understand that this thoughtless, unconditional, absolutely non-stop campaign to mobilize anti-Russian sentiments wherever possible [will stop], <...> when we see that something else alternative to this absolute dominance of anti-Russian approaches in US policy is revealed, then, perhaps, a reason for additional analysis will arise and the president, this is his prerogative, perhaps, will look at this case anew," the deputy foreign minister noted.
He added that Washington should stop trying to put pressure on Moscow in the economic sphere and abandon its intention to demonstrate political rejection of independent Russia as "an independent powerful pole of the emerging new system of international relations."
In his address to the Federal Assembly on Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was suspending its participation in the START Treaty, but was not withdrawing from it. The head of state stressed that before returning to discussing the continuation of work under the treaty, the Russian side should understand for itself how the arsenals of not only the United States, but also Britain and France, would be taken into account.
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Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS