Kremlin says US-Russia arms talks should continue
Moscow calls the situation complicated and says any resumption will need extensive negotiation.
Published
The Kremlin said talks between the United States and Russia over arms control should continue, describing the situation as complicated and warning that restarting the process will require extensive negotiation.
The statement follows weeks of mixed signals from Moscow. The Kremlin has also said Ukraine must face consequences for its recent activities, a harder line than the one struck on arms talks. Separately, Putin has said Russia remains ready to resume negotiations once Ukraine's elections are held, while accusing Kyiv of striking Moscow and its polling stations. He has also said Russia is not preparing for hostilities with Europe, as Russian and US envoys discuss a possible halt to strikes on energy sites.
The shift in tone, from blame-trading to talk of process, marks a change from the Kremlin's recent posture on Ukraine. It comes as other diplomatic tracks, including talks involving Iran and China, are also being described as making progress, pointing to a broader willingness in Moscow to engage rather than escalate. For markets, that is modestly supportive for risk assets, though the early and conditional nature of the talks means it falls short of a material turning point.