Sputnik International:

A five-year extension of the arms reduction treaty came into force earlier this month, as Moscow and Washington managed to find common ground before the deal expired to preserve global peace and security.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has stated that any possible replacement of the New START treaty with a new pact would be impossible without a discussion concerning U.S. missile defense.

“If the US is not ready to move on [this] then there are little chances of having a new deal to replace the New START, we should focus on the missile defense problem. Otherwise, arms control will be in question”, Ryabkov said at a press conference.

The diplomat also noted that Russia and the United States have begun negotiating a schedule of checks and consultations that are part of the extended New START deal…

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