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Russia’s most level-headed diplomat on Thursday rejected a U. S. proposal to continue negotiations on nuclear arms control, arguing that talks were highly unlikely to take place after the U. S. continued with Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the proposal to resume negotiations “unacceptable” at his annual press conference in Moscow on Thursday. He also said Washington wants to replace its policy toward Russia in relation to the ongoing war between that country and Ukraine before talks can move forward. reported the Associated Press.
“We do not see the slightest interest on the part of the United States or NATO in resolving the conflict in Ukraine and listening to Russia’s concerns,” Lavrov said, according to a Reuters translation.
Lavrov’s rebuke comes months after White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U. S. was in a position to resume bilateral arms talks with Russia and China “without preconditions. “
Sullivan, in his June speech, under pressure that “no preconditions” did not mean “no accountability” and under pressure that the United States would hold the nuclear powers accountable for their “reckless behavior. “
While relations between Russia and the U.S. have become increasingly tense in recent years, Sullivan argued it is in neither of the two countries’ best interests “to embark on an open-ended competition in strategic nuclear forces.”
Russia responded to Sullivan’s comments in a diplomatic document last December, highlighting several of Levrov’s most recent points, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Lavrov said Thursday that Washington’s call for the resumption of negotiations was underscored by a willingness to resume inspections of Russia’s nuclear weapons site, according to the AP. Russia’s Foreign Minister also called the U. S. demands “indecent” in light of Ukrainian attacks on Russian nuclear facilities. A capable bomber is the basis of warfare, the news service added.
“We have declared you an enemy, but we’re ready to talk about how we could look at your strategic nuclear arsenal again, that’s something different,” Lavrov said, per an AP translation.
He continued, calling the push a way for the U.S. to “try to establish control over our nuclear arsenal and minimize nuclear risks for itself.” But, he noted, “those risks are emerging as a result of forceful pressure on our country.”
The disagreement over the resumption of negotiations raises considerations of a new arms race, as the New START treaty expires in 2026. The treaty, signed by then-Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev in 2010, imposes limits on U. S. and Russian nuclear weapons and allows for the on-site use of nuclear weapons. inspections for compliance.
Those inspections were stopped in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and did not resume. Putin last February suspended Russia’s participation in the START treaty, accusing the U.S. and NATO of “hypocrisy and cynicism” for their support of Ukraine.
Biden’s leadership has expressed unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia and has planned to legally provide billions of dollars to Kyiv. The White House is seeking to secure more investment for Ukraine through Congress, but is facing resistance from some Republicans who need outside help along with stricter border policies.
Lavrov alleged the West has blocked talks on ending the conflict and has encouraged ramped-up attacks on Russia, the AP reported.
“This stimulus and this movement of arms shows that the West needs any constructive solution,” Lavrov said. “The West is pushing for a worsening of the crisis in Ukraine, creating new strategic risks. “
Asked whether tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine could resemble the 1962 missile crisis, when the United States and the Soviet Union were closer to a nuclear clash, he warned that the West would not encourage Ukraine to hit targets in Russia.
The Associated Press contributed.
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