Russian S-400 air defence mobile missile launching systems take part in a military parade during celebrations marking Independence Day in Minsk July 3, 2014. (REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko)
WASHINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The United States will send a high-level delegation to discuss arms control issues with the Russian side in Geneva later this week, U.S. media reported on Monday.
According to the New York Times, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will head U.S. delegation, which also includes staff from the National Security Council, Pentagon, and other agencies. Sergei Ryabkov, the deputy foreign minister, will lead the Russian delegation.
The arms control regime between Washington and Moscow has been under erosion. The White House's decision to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty will take effect next month. Meanwhile, the United States has expressed disinterest in extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which will expire in 2021.