Sanctions on Russia might prompt it to withdraw from dialogue on strategic stability - Medvedev

MOSCOW. Feb 26 (Interfax) - The sanctions being imposed on Russia could prompt it to withdraw from the dialogue on strategic stability with the United States, up to terminating the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said.

"The sanctions could serve as an excellent pretext for definitively reviewing all relations with the states that have imposed them. Including for terminating the dialogue on strategic stability. After all, everything can be dropped in principle, including the New START treaty concluded between me and [U.S. President Barack] Obama and extended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the incumbent U.S. leader. What's the point in it now, in such conditions, especially considering that it was signed by people under sanctions?" Medvedev wrote on his VK account.

"It looks kind of indecorous. And besides, in principle, diplomatic relations are not really needed, either. Time to padlock the embassies. And continue contacts by looking at each other exceptionally through binoculars and gunsights," Medvedev said.