Ryabkov on upcoming meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov expects that it will be possible to launch the structured process of dialogue over arms control, including New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), at a meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs Andrea Thompson.

"It is necessary to launch some sort of a structured process. I hope that it will happen and that will be neither occasional nor take place only in critical situations," the diplomat noted.  "Of course, the issue of prolonging the START Treaty is thorny," TASS cited Ryabkov as saying. 

The consultations between Ryabkov and Thompson will be held in Geneva on July 17-18.