MOSCOW. Sept 13 (Interfax) - Russia is ready to discuss with the United States the possibility of extending the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (New START), expiring in 2021, for another five years, but Washington should demonstrate such readiness as well, Mikhail Ulyanov, Director of the Foreign Ministry Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control, said.
"In principle, the New Start, effective until 2021, provides for the possibility of a five-year extension. We made no unequivocal decision on this score, but we are ready to consider such a possibility, at least to discuss it with the Americans," Ulyanov said in an interview with the newspaper Kommersant.
"However, one could apply the American expression 'it takes two to tango' to the current situation. To start talking, it is important to know that Washington, too, allows for the possibility of a five-year extension. So far we are not seeing that," Ulyanov said.
But, "there is still time, because the treaty will remain in force for another three-plus years," he said.
The deadline for implementation of the treaty is nearing: by February 5, 2018 the parties "should have reached the targets set for launch vehicles and warheads," Ulyanov said, adding, "A lot of work still needs to be done."