Moscow surprised at US Under Secretary of State John Bolton's statement

The statement by US Under Secretary of State John Bolton on Russia's policy in the field of non-proliferation of mass destruction weapons and missile technologies surprised Moscow, said official spokesman for Russia's Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko on Tuesday at a briefing for journalists.

According to the diplomat, mass media published John Bolton's statement on Russia's alleged contribution to proliferation of mass destruction weapons and missile technologies. In this connection Yakovenko recalled that "Russia attaches great importance to the issues of non-proliferation of mass destruction weapons and thoroughly fulfils its international obligations." At all international forums and in its concrete policy Russia speaks for consolidation of the non-proliferation regime. "It is an important element of Russia's policy," Yakovenko said.

"[The US] should not make such statements without presenting facts. We have opportunities and channels to discuss with the US any anxiety as concerns weapons of mass destruction," stressed the Foreign Ministry's official spokesman.