Trump in Talks With Lavrov Supported Global Arms Control That Includes China

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US President Donald Trump in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized his support for effective global arms control that includes China, the White House said in a statement.

Arms Control

“President Trump also emphasized his support for effective global arms control that includes not only Russia, but also China,” the White House’s statement said on Tuesday.

Russian Foreign Minister said that Russia had offered the United States to extend the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and was ready to consider all possible options with that respect.
“We have offered Washington to consider any options to extend the agreement,” Lavrov told journalists.
Earlier in the day, speaking at a press conference after a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Lavrov reconfirmed Russia’s position that it is prepared to extend the New START.

Russia has suggested that the United States extend the New START treaty for five years or for a shorter period if desired, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced earlier this month.

New START is the last remaining arms control treaty in force between Russia and the United States. Signed in 2010, the pact stipulates that the number of strategic nuclear missiles launchers must be cut by half and limits the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550.

Trade and Bilateral Relations

Trump also highlighted that improved relations between the United States and Russia could lead to increased bilateral trade, according to the statement.
“The President noted that a better relationship with Russia would allow increased trade between our countries,” according to the statement.
US President and Russian Foreign Minister also discussed possible progress that both countries can make on freeing detained citizens by the other country.
“President Trump welcomed continued engagement with Russia to address areas of mutual concern, including how the United States and Russia can take positive steps with respect to detained citizens,” the statement said.

Situation in Persian Gulf

Lavrov said he had discussed with US President Trump the necessity of taking measures to prevent an escalation of the crisis in the Persian Gulf.
“We talked today about the fact that it’s necessary to take some steps to prevent the crisis in the Persian Gulf from aggravating and to take some steps in relations with the problems that have arisen because of the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA] on the settlement of the Iranian nuclear program,” Lavrov told journalists in Washington.
In May 2018, the United States began the process of reimposing previously lifted sanctions against Tehran after withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement between Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and the European Union requiring the Iranian authorities to scale back the country’s nuclear program and uranium reserves in return for sanctions relief.