Iran Press/Europe: Sergey Lavrov congratulated Antony Blinken on his appointment, expressing readiness for constructive dialogue on a wide range of issues.
"As a follow-up to the phone call between Presidents [Vladimir] Putin and [Joe] Biden, they have welcomed the prolongation of New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) until 2026, which will facilitate the improvement of the general situation in the sphere of international security and strategic stability," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "They have touched upon the matter of ensuring predictability in the sphere of arms control, considering the US pullout from the INF Treaty (The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) and in the context of prospects of the Treaty on Open Skies."
Besides, Lavrov reminded the US Secretary of State of Moscow’s earlier proposals to approve joint Russian-US statements on the impermissibility of nuclear war and non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs.
The sides have also expressed their support for cooperation in the sphere of COVID-19 vaccine development. Lavrov and Blinken "have spoken in favor of establishing cooperation in the sphere of combating the coronavirus, including cooperation on vaccine development and improvement," the statement reads.
The Russian Foreign Ministry added that Lavrov and Blinken had discussed a number of international issues, including aiding peaceful regulation in Syria and Libya, as well as the situation in Ukraine.
104/216
Read more:
Russian diplomat says only irrational US politicians imagine nuclear war with Moscow
