Moscow, Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has labelled the United States' recent statements about its readiness for nuclear talks with Russia, China, and North Korea without any preconditions a "deception".

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In remarks published by the news outlet Argumenty I Fakty, Lavrov said, "The call to talk about strategic stability, about control over nuclear weapons without preconditions, is a deception."

What 'without preconditions' means

The Russian foreign minister, as per Reuters, questioned, "What does 'without preconditions' mean?".

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"This means that the Americans reserve the right to declare us an enemy in their doctrinal documents," he stated. 

His comment comes as the United States in a note to Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo said it stood "ready to engage in talks with Russia, China, and North Korea without preconditions to reduce the nuclear threat".

Nihon Hidankyo is a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which won this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

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Lavrov alleged that the White House statement is a front for America's broader goal of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on Russia on the battlefield.

Also read | Ukraine targets key Russian explosives plant in overnight drone strike

Lavrov also mentioned that Russia is closely following the US presidential election campaigns of both candidates, Republican former president Donald Trump and Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris. 

"We are ready to work with any administration that the American people ultimately choose, but only if such a conversation is mutually respectful and equal," he said.

Lavrov expressed doubts that such a dialogue would be restored soon.

"We are currently monitoring the election campaign in the US, and at the moment we do not see any signs that we will return to such a conversation."

Ukraine war

The Ukraine-Russia war, now over two years old, has heightened tensions between Russia and the West. Moscow calls its incursion into Ukraine a "special military operation," and has accused the US and NATO of waging a hybrid war by supporting Kyiv. In response, Ukraine and its allies have called the invasion as an act of unprovoked imperialistic attempt to grab land.

(With inputs from agencies)