Russian MoD Ready to Discuss START Treaty, Intensify Contacts

The Russian Defense Ministry is ready for the practical implementation of agreements in the area of global security reached in Helsinki between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, the ministry's spokesman, Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, told reporters on Tuesday.

The spokesman specified that the Russian military was "ready to intensify contacts with American colleagues at the level of the General Staffs and through other available channels of communication to discuss the extension of the START treaty, the interaction in Syria, and other topical issues of military security."

READ MORE: Putin Describes Summit with Trump as 'Substantial' Despite Being a 'Rehearsal'

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended his first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Finnish capital of Helsinki. The two parties discussed the current state of bilateral relations along with pressing issues on the international agenda.

Relations between Russia and Western nations have worsened in connection with developments in Ukraine and the situation with Crimea. The West had accused Russia of interfering in the Ukrainian crisis and subsequently introduced sanctions against the country.

Moscow has taken retaliatory measures and set a course toward import substitutions, stressing the counter-productiveness of the use of sanctions against the country.