Russia and the United States may begin talks over problems of strategic offensive armaments if presidents of the two countries make a decision on the issue at the upcoming G20 London summit, a senior official from Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The talks between Russia and the United States over problems of strategic offensive armaments and anti-missile defense may begin only after the presidents of the two countries, at their meeting within the framework of the G20 London forum, take an interim decision on the issue, the Itar-Tass news agency quoted the official as saying.

The Defense Ministry hopes that the final decision, under which the two sides will hold detailed talks, will be taken at subsequent meetings of the heads of the two states.

After meeting with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on March 6, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the two sides have agreed on a work plan aimed at renewing the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which is due to expire on Dec. 5.

The treaty, which was signed in 1991, committed both parties to cutting their arsenals, including reducing missiles to a maximum of 1,600 and warheads to no more than 6,000. Although ratified, the treaty has never entered into force.

Source:Xinhua