Lavrov: Bolton agrees with need to ensure transparency in arms control
MOSCOW. Oct 28 (Interfax) - U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has agreed during his visit to Moscow that transparency, trust and predictability are necessary in arms control, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"We have presented our arguments; we hope that they still remembered our arguments while making their decision. But if they decided to remove all international documents regarding arms control from 'circulation' this way, they must say what they are going to do in this field," he said in an interview with the program 'Moscow. Kremlin. Putin' on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
"That would be wrong to act without control and transparency so that no one what other side does knows once again. Bolton said 'no', said that they understand clearly that transparency, some degree of trust and predictability are necessary in this case," Lavrov said.
The minister also mentioned that this July Russian Deputy Foreign Minister offered U.S. Under Secretary for Arms Control Andrea Thompson to resume the strategic dialogue at the level of deputy heads of the foreign agencies.
"Since July, she is still unable even to say what day or days are convenient for her for holding such consultations. I asked Bolton to accelerate a response to this question," Lavrov said. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also gave him such a promise during a conversation in Helsinki and a phone call in August, he said.
"I reminded him about that in September, during a meeting of the five foreign ministers of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. But maybe Pompeo's hands are full with other pressing engagements now. So I hope Bolton would finally send this signal," the minister said.