Russian Foreign Ministry says Moscow extends hand to U.S.

Russia has made the proposal to the U.S. to extend compliance with the restrictions under the New START Treaty, it is an open hand, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said.

He stressed that Moscow can proceed without a U.S. response if Washington shows no interest in the New START initiative.

"Naturally, we have taken note of the public remarks of the U.S. president himself and of the White House press secretary on this issue made a few days earlier," Sergey Ryabkov said.

According to the diplomat, Russian President Vladimir Putin has outlined all the priorities and positions during his meeting with the representatives who attended the Valdai Forum.

Earlier, Putin said that Russia is ready to continue observing the quantitative limits after the New START Treaty expires.