Russia-U.S. To Hold ‘Full-Format’ Nuclear Talks, as Ryabkov Urges Ongoing ‘Structured Process’

July 6, 2019 (EIRNS)—Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson will hold “full format talks” in Geneva on July 17-18 on nuclear weaponry. The principal topic of discussion with be the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty).

Ryabkov said July 5 that, “It is necessary to launch some sort of a structured process. I hope that it will happen and that will be neither occasional nor take place only in critical situations.” Speaking to reporters, he said, the Russian side would like to discuss “whether there are common points in the sphere of arms control. Of course, the issue of prolonging the START Treaty is thorny.

“Dialogue is established, contacts are held, but, firstly, there is no confidence that it will be carried out if not permanently, then regularly at least. Secondly, [there is no confidence] that we will be able to reverse the trend toward derailing the system of agreements in this sphere, which is obvious and is alarming to us,” Ryabkov stated.