MOSCOW. Jan 27 (Interfax) - The extension of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) could serve as the basis for new agreements in strategic security, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said.
"New START's extension gives us a reason to believe with cautious optimism that the document will be used as a basis for new agreements in the sector of strategic security," Medvedev said on Facebook.
"This is now one of the few tracks in Russian-U.S. relations which has a real prospect for constructive cooperation," Medvedev said. "And it is really important to continue this meaningful dialogue, on which the security of all humanity depends," he said.
The extension of the treaty "is an extremely important achievement in Russian-U.S. relations, which are going through hard times at the moment," Medvedev said.
The administration of former President Donald Trump did not want to extend the treaty, making it the subject of political bargaining, Medvedev said. "I'm glad Russian President Vladimir Putin and new U.S. President Joseph Biden managed to agree on extending this treaty promptly," he said.