Russia seeks to maintain dialogue on int'l security with U.S., contacts on regional issues continuing - Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW. March 8 (Interfax) - Moscow stands for maintaining a constructive dialogue with Washington, D.C. in international security and strategic stability, Alexander Darchiyev, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's North America Department, said in an interview with Interfax.

"Even in the acute crisis times, Russia has consistently and continuously stood for maintaining channels for a constructive dialogue in the sector of international security and strategic stability. And now, despite the acute crisis, we're preparing for the upcoming spring session of the Bilateral Consultative Commission under the New START Treaty," the Russian diplomat said, answering a question as to whether Russian-U.S. interaction on the issues it was continuing until recently was paused.

"Of course, it fully applies to working together on the settlement of numerous regional conflicts as well. For instance, in the context of Afghanistan, our countries maintain regular contacts at the level of special representatives and as part of the Troika Plus format (Russia, China, the U.S. with Pakistan's involvement," Darchiyev said.

"When it comes to Syria, Russian and U.S. troops have established channels to prevent incidents in its airspace. I could also mention the interaction as part of resetting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear program from which Donald Trump's administration withdrew a while ago," he said.