Sullivan's comments on nuclear weapons 'important': Peskov
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This comes after Sullivan's comments last week at the Weapons Control Association's 2023 Annual Meeting that the US is prepared to engage in weapons control discussions with Russia and China without preconditions.
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Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (AP)
Recent statements by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan regarding Washington's readiness for talks on nuclear weapons are important and positive, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
During his speech at the Arms Control Association's 2023 Annual Meeting last week, Sullivan said the United States is willing to engage in arms control talks with Russia and China without preconditions. The US is ready to begin talks with Russia on nuclear risk management and a post-2026 arms control framework, the official added.
Peskov told reporters that Sullivan's comments were "important and positive" and that Russia expects the statements to be backed up by steps through diplomatic channels, making it a possibility to consider the dialogue formats.
The spokesperson said Moscow considers the discussion of nuclear arms of particular importance, adding, however, that it is "necessary first to understand how proposals are formulated. Because, of course, it is very difficult to rely on a statement in the media in such important and sensitive issues, especially when we are experiencing such, perhaps, the most acute lack of mutual trust in our bilateral relations."
Read more: Russia must return to assess nuclear potential of NATO members: Putin
In late April, US National Nuclear Security Administration head Jill Hruby told a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that the US would prefer Russia to rejoin the New START Treaty or initiate discussions on a new nuclear weapons treaty.
In response to the latest OPEC+ decision, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia would fulfill the broad agreements that exist within the framework of OPEC+, as this format is critical for guaranteeing the stability of international energy markets.
Members of the OPEC+ group agreed on Sunday to cut oil outputs to 40.463 million barrels per day throughout 2024, the group said in a statement after a meeting in Vienna.
According to Peskov, "The format continues its work, there are general agreements that, of course, everyone will fulfill. I would also like to add that, of course, this format retains its importance for ensuring stability of international energy markets."
On the topic of Indonesia's possible plan for resolving the Ukraine war situation, the Spokesperson disclosed that Russia had not received any information from Indonesia. "I do not know that something detailed was presented via the diplomatic channels, so I cannot say anything," Peskov revealed.
