UN Secretary General called on Russia and the United States to promptly extend START III

This was announced during a briefing by the Secretary General's spokesman Stephane Dujarrick.

According to him, Guterres welcomes the decision of the United States to strive to extend START III for 5 years and the newly reaffirmed position of Russia regarding the extension of the treaty.

"The UN Secretary General calls on both states to work quickly to complete the necessary procedures for the extension of START-3 before its expiration on February 5, and as soon as possible move on to negotiations on new measures for arms control," RIA Novosti quoted him as saying.

Earlier, the White House said that the US authorities are in favor of extending the treaty on measures to further reduce and limit strategic offensive arms with Russia for five years.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that they are ready without delay to enter into contact with the American side for the earliest possible execution of an agreement on the extension of START III for five years.