US and Russia Hold Nuclear Disarmament Working Talks in Geneva... "Professional and Substantive"

Vice Ministerial Talks for Nuclear Disarmament Between the Two Countries
Agreement to Reduce the Possibility of Accidental Clashes

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It has been reported that the United States and Russia held their first private working-level talks in Geneva, Switzerland, aimed at reaching a bilateral nuclear arms reduction agreement. The talks are interpreted as an effort to reduce the possibility of accidental clashes amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

According to foreign media including CNN on the 28th (local time), delegations from the United States and Russia held an "Integrated Strategic Stability Dialogue" on nuclear arms reduction in Geneva, Switzerland. This private meeting was a follow-up to the arms reduction agreement reached at last month's summit between the U.S. and Russian presidents. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov attended as representatives.

Earlier, on the 16th of last month, U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit in Geneva, agreeing that both countries would engage in cautious and robust dialogue to lay the groundwork for arms control and risk reduction measures. At that meeting, the two leaders adopted a joint statement on strategic stability aimed at reducing the threat of nuclear war and instructed the initiation of work to establish a foundation for curbing the arms race.

Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said in a statement released after the talks, "The discussions in Geneva were professional and substantive," adding, "Even in times of tension, we are committed to ensuring predictability and reducing the risks of armed conflict and the threat of nuclear war." He further stated, "The U.S. delegation discussed our policy priorities, the current security environment, national perceptions of threats to strategic stability, prospects for new nuclear arms control, and the format of future strategic stability dialogues."

Both sides agreed to meet again in September, and until the main agenda is decided, expert working groups will exchange opinions without being bound by formalities. Price added, "Soon, senior officials from the State Department and the Department of Defense will travel to Brussels, Belgium, to brief NATO allies on the outcomes of the talks."

The Russian Foreign Ministry also issued a statement saying that both sides addressed "maintaining strategic stability, prospects for arms control, and risk reduction measures" during the talks.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov evaluated the U.S. delegation as well-prepared for constructive dialogue immediately after the meeting, telling TASS news agency, "The United States was well prepared. That is a good thing," and added, "They sent an impressive delegation representing all fields."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.