Dmitry Peskov
The statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin during his speech at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) do not mean Moscow's rejection of the dialogue on nuclear arms reduction. This explanation was given on Friday, June 16, by the press secretary of the Russian leader, Dmitry Peskov.
Earlier, the Russian leader stressed that Russia has more nuclear weapons than the NATO countries, and the desire of Western states to reduce the nuclear arsenal The Russian Federation responded with the phrase «Fuck them.»
The official representative of the Kremlin, commenting on Putin's statement, noted that «Russia is ready to negotiate.»
Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, that the Russian Federation is ready to enter into a dialogue with the United States on strategic stability, but this is possible only on a parity basis, «when they mature, if and when they become interested in this.»
The United States State Department recognized that Russia continues to adhere to quantitative restrictions in accordance with the Treaty on Strategic and Offensive Arms (START), despite the decision taken by Moscow to suspend participation in this agreement.