“In principle, we have never rejected dialogue. At the same time, a real dialogue is possible only if there is an adequate partner on the other side. For this, the United States needs to become ready for a serious conversation on truly equal principles and on the basis of a readiness to respect our interests and not cross our red lines in the field of security," Yermakov said.
Earlier, US Charge d'Affaires in Russia Elizabeth Rood told Sputnik that Washington is committed to arms control and is waiting for an opportunity to resume dialogue with Moscow on strategic stability, interrupted, according to her, over the situation around Ukraine.
Previously, the two nations rescheduled the Russian-US bilateral consultative commission on the New START treaty, which was planned to take place November 29 - December 6. The accord, which aims to halve the number of strategic nuclear missile launchers, was set to expire in 2021. However, Moscow and Washington managed to find common ground and prolonged the deal for five more years without renegotiating its terms.