Lavrov, Pompeo discuss coronavirus, New START over phone
Xinhua file photos of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
- Xinhua
- May 7, 2020 1:58 AM
MOSCOW -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a phone conversation on Wednesday, discussing issues related to the coronavirus pandemic and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"In the context of combating the coronavirus pandemic, issues related to the cooperation of the two countries in this field were discussed, considering the need to combine the efforts of all members of the international community in accordance with calls of the UN leadership and other multilateral organizations," it said.
Lavrov again spoke out in favor of extending the New START, which expires in February 2021, according to the statement.
"Ways of enhancing the bilateral dialogue on arms limitation and non-proliferation are considered, taking into account factors affecting strategic stability," said the statement.
Lavrov and Pompeo also touched upon other pressing issues on the international agenda and issues of bilateral cooperation, it said.
The two sides reaffirmed the importance of the upcoming 75th anniversary of the World War II victory in preserving the historical memory of the feat of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition, it added.
