Russia on January 18 rejected U.S.-Russian arms control talks because of U.S. support for Ukraine, a stance Washington said cast doubt on Moscow's openness to a successor to the last treaty limiting their strategic nuclear arsenals. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that Washington had proposed separating the issues of Ukraine and the resumption of talks on arms control. Lavrov said the proposal was unacceptable to Russia because of the West's backing of Ukraine and accused the West of conducting a "hybrid war" against Moscow. However, he did not rule out the possibility of future arms control talks.
Russia Rejects U.S. Arms Control Talks, Citing U.S. Support For Ukraine
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov gestures while speaking at his annual news conference in Moscow on January 18.