Moscow, Washington discuss prisoners exchange via special channels: Russian minister

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Moscow and Washington continue discussing issues of prisoners exchange via special channels, Russia's deputy foreign minister said on Friday.

Speaking to RT Arabic, Sergey Ryabkov said "some progress" has been made in recent months on humanitarian issues, which is a "positive moment" in Russian-US relations.

The diplomat said Moscow will also continue contacts with Washington regarding the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).

"We cannot say that we have any great results. But Moscow does not refuse dialogue, and we are open to it," he said.

Russia is also open "to discussing with the US ways to normalize the work of the diplomatic bodies of the two countries," he added.

President Vladimir Putin signed a law suspending Russia's participation in the only remaining arms control treaty with the US last month.

He said Moscow was suspending the New START treaty because of Washington’s growing involvement in the Ukraine war.

Signed in 2010 and extended in 2021 for another five years, the treaty aims to control and reduce strategic nuclear forces used by the US and Russia.