No new agreement on nuclear weapons in sight

MOSCOW (AP) – Latest news from John Bolton's meetings in Moscow (local time):

1:05 p.m.

The Kremlin rejected a suggestion that US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from an important arms control agreement could pave the way for a new treaty.

Trump announced on Saturday that Russia had violated the intermediate-range nuclear force (INF) treaty and that the US should leave it. He warned that the United States would start developing such weapons unless Russia and China agree not to own or develop them. China was not party to the treaty.

The spokesman of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Tuesday that there was "no prospect of a new agreement" to replace the INF and that I & # 39; 39, it is "dangerous" to abandon the INF Treaty without any other solution in sight.

Trump National Security Advisor John Bolton is in Moscow this week to discuss security cooperation with Russia. He should meet Putin later on Tuesday.

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11:50

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told US President Donald Trump's national security adviser that Moscow hoped to join the United States in their non-proliferation efforts.

Bolton flew to Moscow less than 48 hours after Trump announced his intention to withdraw from a key agreement on nuclear weapons control that would have eased Cold War tensions. at the end of the 1980s.

The Mid-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty has been the cornerstone of global security since it was signed in 1987 between the United States and the Soviet Union. Trump said Saturday in a speech that Russia had violated it and that was the reason why the United States had to withdraw.

Shoigu also said Tuesday in comments from Russian news agencies that Russia and the United States should also strengthen their cooperation in Syria.

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10:55

US President Donald Trump's national security advisor meets with Russian Defense Minister in Moscow just days after Trump announced his intention to pull the United States out of a landmark treaty on nuclear weapons.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu congratulated National Security Advisor John Bolton on Tuesday for his two-day visit. According to Russian news agencies, Shoigu was quoted as saying that "even small advances will benefit our relations and help restore confidence" between the two countries.

Bolton arrived in Russia on Monday when he met with the President of the Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev. He is scheduled to meet with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

Over the weekend, Trump declared his intention to withdraw from the Mid-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty as he claimed that Russia had violated it.