Ned Price, a spokesperson for the State Department, said on Thursday that Washington is ready to start talks with Moscow on a new arms control agreement after the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) expires.
 
"We're prepared if Russia is willing to engage as a responsible nuclear power to begin negotiating a new framework once New START expires in the coming years," adding that "We see the value of New START, it is as valuable to us today and some ways even more so than it has been in the course of its existence," Price said during a press briefing. "We want to see the important parameters of New START continue to be implemented."

According to Price, the New START is highly valued by the US and is now considered more crucial than ever.

Read more: NPT members reaffirm importance of Russia, US talks on New START

US ready to negotiate new treaty to replace new START in 2026 - Biden

On August first, US President Joe Biden said his administration is ready to negotiate a new arms control framework to replace the New START treaty with Russia upon its expiry in 2026.    

Ahead of the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Biden stated, "Today, my Administration is ready to expeditiously negotiate a new arms control framework to replace New START when it expires in 2026. But negotiation requires a willing partner operating in good faith," ahead of the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

Biden said that Moscow should demonstrate its readiness to resume work on nuclear arms control with the US, and so should China.    

"China also has a responsibility as an NPT nuclear weapons state and a member of the P5 to engage in talks that will reduce the risk of miscalculation and address destabilizing military dynamics. There is no benefit to any of our nations, or for the world, to resist substantive engagement on arms control and nuclear non-proliferation," he added, stressing that the US reiterates its commitment to the NPT treaty.

"In this moment of uncertainty and upheaval on the global stage, reaffirming our shared commitment to the grounding principles of the global nonproliferation regime has never been more crucial. The world can be confident that my Administration will continue to support the NPT and seek to strengthen the nonproliferation architecture that protects people everywhere," he added.    

A global conference that reviews the NPT every five years will convene from August 1 till August 26 in New York.