Russia and USA set up commission for implementing Moscow Treaty

The bilateral commission on cooperation in implementing the Strategic Offensive Reduction Treaty (the so-called Moscow Treaty) will start functioning in the near future, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislyak told journalists today after his talks with US Under Secretary of State John Bolton. Kislyak pointed out that the treaty ratified by the Russian State Duma and the US Congress had already taken effect. It envisages taking a number of serious steps by both Russia and the USA, and setting up a Russian-US commission for ensuring the implementation of the treaty in particular.

Kislyak emphasized, however, that the establishment of the commission had been protracted as the sides had had different approaches to the commission's mandate and purview. At present, all contentious issues have been settled, and the commission will soon start operating, the official noted.