MOSCOW. Sept 12 (Interfax) - The situation regarding strategic stability is deteriorating, and there is a risk that a nuclear war could break out, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
"The situation in the field of strategic stability continues to worsen. Regrettably, it's an indisputable fact. The risks are growing as well [...] There is a risk that a nuclear war could erupt, even if sides don't have any intention in the first place to unleash a nuclear conflict," Ryabkov said at a presentation of the National Research University-Higher School of Economics' report on ways to bolster multilateral strategic stability.
These negative patterns have become particularly apparent in the past few years, and "the actions of our colleagues in the West are becoming more emotional and quite aggressive at times," he said.
"They have avoided discussing urgent issues in detail, have blocked the functioning of dialogue channels, and continue to destabilize arms control architecture," he said.
Russia is ready to resume full-fledged talks with the United States on strategic stability, he said.
"Our stance is well known. We stand for the resumption of full-fledged talks on strategic stability and international security and hope that our colleagues overseas will also be ready for this serious and motivated dialogue," Ryabkov said.