Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Ryabkov said that Russia took into account the statements of the American side about its readiness to remove obstacles that prevent the organization of inspections by Russian specialists of facilities in the United States under the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), RIA Novosti reports.

“We have taken note of this. Let's see what we can stand behind this," the diplomat said.

He also noted that the issue is not limited to the situation of issuing visas or the refusal of the American system to accept cards issued by Russian banks to pay for the expenses associated with the stay of Russian inspectors in the United States.

Earlier, White House National Security Council Defense Policy and Arms Control Coordinator Kara Abercrombie said Washington was "doing its best to remove any potential obstacles to travel" of Russian experts to the United States.

In August last year, Russia notified the United States that it was temporarily withdrawing its facilities from inspection activities under the New START.

Diplomat Lynn Tracy, who was then just nominated for the post of US ambassador to Russia, said that further dialogue between Moscow and Washington on issues related to arms control is possible only after Russia allows US representatives to resume inspections.

The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Russia did not intend to discuss the New START Treaty with the United States while Washington was supplying weapons and military equipment to Ukraine.