By KUNA,
MOSCOW : Russia has expressed its readiness to move forward on the path to reducing strategic weapons, taking into account the interests of the Russian national security.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Russian television today that Russia is ready to continue discussions that would ensure the maintenance of a system of restrictions on arms control and reduction of strategic offensive weapons.
Lavrov expressed his satisfaction because the U.S. administration gave the issue a great deal of attention.
He drew attention to the fact that Moscow has offered the former U.S. administration the signing of an agreement to replace the strategic arms reductions treaty, which expires at the end of this year.
U.S. officials had recently indicated a desire of the new U.S. administration to significantly reduce strategic offensive weapons by 80 percent. (end) as.tg KUNA 071319 Feb 09NNNN