"The uncertainty around the future of the New START is a cause for concern. Last year, I told this very conference why we believe that it is important to preserve it," Lavrov said at the Disarmament Conference in Geneva.
The Russian top diplomat noted that the extension of the treaty would be a reasonable step preventing further deterioration of strategic stability and avoid a complete collapse of nuclear and missile non-proliferation mechanisms.
"Given all these circumstances, the Russian president has suggested that Russia and the United States extend the START Treaty without any preconditions. We are waiting for a response," he added.
27 January 2020, 00:49 GMT
The New START is the only remaining legally binding US-Russian agreement on nuclear arms control, in force since 2011 and due to expire in February 2021 with a possibility to be renewed for another five years.
Russian officials have repeatedly said they were ready to renew the New Start, but the US administration has said it would prefer a new treaty that includes both Russia and China. Beijing, however, has rejected the idea.
