Russia\u2019s top diplomat has rejected a United States proposal to resume a dialogue on nuclear arms control, saying that it is impossible while Washington offers military support to Ukraine. Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov accused the West of fuelling global security risks by encouraging Ukraine to ramp up strikes on Russian territory and warned that Moscow will achieve its goals in the conflict regardless of Western support for Kyiv. Commenting on a US proposal to resume contacts in the sphere of nuclear arms control, Lavrov said that Moscow has rejected the offer. He said that for such talks to be held, Washington first needs to revise its current policy towards Russia. Lavrov charged that Washington\u2019s push for the revival of nuclear talks has been driven by a desire to resume inspections of Russia\u2019s nuclear weapons sites. He described such US demands as \u201cindecent\u201d in view of Ukraine\u2019s attacks on Russian nuclear-capable bomber bases during the conflict. \u201cAmid a \u2018hybrid war\u2019 waged by Washington against Russia, we aren\u2019t seeing any basis, not only for any additional joint measures in the sphere of arms control and reduction of strategic risks, but for any discussion of strategic stability issues with the US,\u201d he said. \u201cWe firmly link such possibility to the West fully renouncing its malicious course aimed at undermining Russia\u2019s security and interests.\u201d The minister said Washington\u2019s push for restarting nuclear arms talks is rooted in a desire to \u201ctry to establish control over our nuclear arsenal and minimise nuclear risks for itself\u201d but added that \u201cthose risks are emerging as a result of forceful pressure on our country.\u201d He accused the West of blocking any talks on ending the conflict and inciting the ramping up of attacks on Russia. \u201cSuch encouragement and the transfer of relevant weapons shows that the West doesn\u2019t want any constructive solution,\u201d Lavrov said. \u201cThe West is pushing toward the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, and that raises new strategic risks.\u201d He reaffirmed that Russia will pursue what it calls the \u201cspecial military operation\u201d regardless of Western pressure. \u201cWe will consistently and persistently press the goals of the special military operation and we will achieve them,\u201d he said. \u201cThey should have no hope that Russia could be defeated in any way. Those in the West who fantasise about it have failed to learn history lessons.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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