Russia, US to hold consultations on INF Treaty in Geneva on January 15 — Russian diplomat

Russia and the United States will hold consultations on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) in Geneva on January 15, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said.

"Inter-departmental consultations on the problems of the INF Treaty will be held in Geneva on January 15. It will be the only issue on the agenda," he said. "We are pleased to note that the US side has finally agreed to hold these consultations following our numerous invitations."

He said that the US delegation will be led by Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Andrea L. Thompson. "It will be our first personal meeting," Ryabkov noted.

He also said that issues of the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction) Treaty will not be raised at Tuesday’s consultations with the United States in Geneva as the meeting will focus solely on the future of the INF Treaty.

"The only issue to be discussed will be the INF Treaty," he said. "As a matter of fact, we have enough material for the whole day."

"I want to emphasize that we are interested in those contacts as much as the US. In the conditions when we are presented with different ultimatums, preconditions, demands, we demonstrate considerable good will," Ryabkov said. "That's because it is not the right genre, style, approach, to look for resolution of a complicated problem. We have enough good will, we are ready for serious work, and we will see what happens tomorrow," he added.

"The US has even made their stance on the INF Treaty tougher. We see it as a not very favorable signal," he noted.