WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Russia is open for cooperation with the United States in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and will be ready to share a vaccine against the disease, Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said at an event hosted by a Washington think tank.
Russia emerged as a leader in vaccine development with two of its products, Sputnik V, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, and EpiVacCorona, developed by Siberia’s research center Vector, are completing Phase 3 clinical trials. On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to start mass vaccination by the end of the next week.
Antonov reaffirmed Russia’s aspirations to have better relations with the US.
The ambassador named six areas where he believes closer ties are possible – strategic stability, non-proliferation, fight against terrorism and COVID-19, space and cybersecurity. Antonov added that he is “dreaming” to see Russia’s Defense and Foreign ministers come to Washington to unblock 2+2 channel of communications with their American colleagues.
START Treaty Extension & Possible US Return to JCPOA
Russia is continuing talking with US negotiators to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) despite the fact the United States is in a post-election period, and still sees an opportunity to reach an agreement before the treaty expires, Antonov said.
Antonov noted that he is in “a close contact” with Marshall Billingslea, the US Special Envoy for Arms Control and a top negotiator on the New START.
The ambassador also added that Russia would welcome the possible United States return to the nuclear agreement with Iran after the Trump administration withdrew from the accord.
His comments come as presumed President-elect Joe Biden said before the November 3 election that the United States would rejoin the Iran nuclear agreement as a starting point for follow-on negotiations if Iran returns to strict compliance.
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden delivers a pre-Thanksgiving address at his transition headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., November 25, 2020.
Arms Control Situation
Antonov also noted that it remains unclear whether Moscow and Washington will succeed in improving the arms control situation, despite Russian efforts to extend the last remaining arms control pact between the two countries.
Russia’s Position on Recognizing US Election Results
Russia will recognize the US President after all legal procedures under US laws are finalized, Russian ambassador said.
Antonov emphasized that Russia considers the election of the president of the United States to the country’s internal matter.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
