Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The main topic of discussion, as reported in the Russian Foreign Ministry, was the fight against the coronavirus and global security issues.
"The parties exchanged opinions on global security. Lavrov again spoke in favour of extending the New START Treaty, which is to expire in February 2021. They also discussed ways to boost the Russia-US dialogue on arms limitations and non-proliferation with regard to the factors that affect strategic stability," the message reads.
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, signed in 2010, remains the only existing Treaty between Russia and the United States on arms limitation. The agreement expires in February 2021. The Russian side has repeatedly stated at the highest level that it is ready to extend the existing agreement without preconditions.
As for the fight against the coronavirus, the heads of the two countries' diplomatic missions discussed the need to join efforts in this direction.
"The two officials discussed the interaction between the two countries against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic with regard to the need to combine efforts of all members of the international community in accordance with the calls by the UN leadership and other multilateral organisations," the Russian MFA reports.
The officials also touched upon other current issues on the global agenda, including the activity of the UN Security Council and the prospects for the development of interaction in the economy, counter-terrorism and cybersecurity.
Lavrov and Pompeo "confirmed the importance of the upcoming 75th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War in preserving the historical memory of the heroism of the anti-Hitler coalition countries".
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry