Russia Seeks Talks in Geneva on Security Guarantees for Non-Nuclear States

SAN FRANCISCO (Sputnik) — Russia stands ready to discuss the issue of nuclear disarmament and security of non-nuclear nations at the upcoming Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva, Russian ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said.

"At the CD, we are also ready to discuss nuclear disarmament, security guarantees to non-nuclear states, as well as other challenges related to disarmament and strengthening of international security," Antonov told Russian students at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California, on Thursday.

Antonov noted that the matter of including all nuclear states without exception in the process of reducing nuclear weapons is becoming more and more important.

"The issue of including absolutely all nuclear states in the process of limiting and reducing nuclear weapons is becoming increasingly pressing," Antonov told students.

"It feels like the current US administration is far from figuring out its stand on the Treaty, the fate of which will define the future program of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation," Antonov said about the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty by the United States. "The situation is closely being monitored by other important countries – India, Pakistan, Egypt, Israel and Iran. Needless to say, by the North Korea as well. This is why the ratification of the CTBT by the US could give a significant positive impulse to other states, the ratification of which is required for the Treaty to take effect."

The ambassador stressed that Russia is determined to fulfill its obligations under the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) by February of next year.

"Despite the one-sided disruption of the ABM Treaty we have managed to sign the New START Treaty in 2010. One of the current goals is to reach the levels of strategic arms set by the Treaty by February 2018," Antonov said. "We will fulfill our commitments."