U.S. Hails Russia’s Readiness for Nuclear Cuts

The United States welcomes Moscow’s willingness to further reduce nuclear weapons and reiterates that American missile shield in Europe is not aimed against Russia, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of State said.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country is ready for taking further steps to reduce and limit the arsenal of strategic offensive weapons, but on condition that the United States also changes its stance on the missile shield in Europe.

“As you know, we are interested in continuing arms control talks going forward. That said, we reject any linkage with missile defense. As we always say, these are defensive systems; they are not directed at Russia; they’re primarily directed at the threat from Iran and from rogues, et cetera,” Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told a daily press briefing.

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