RUSSIA’S top diplomat dismissed the United States proposal to resume a dialogue on nuclear arms control, saying today that it’s impossible while Washington offers military support to Ukraine.

Speaking at an annual news conference, Sergey Lavrov accused the West of fuelling global security risks by encouraging Ukraine to ramp up strikes on Russian territory and warned that Moscow will achieve its goals in the conflict regardless of Western support for Kiev.

Mr Lavrov said that Moscow has rejected the offer to resume contacts with the US over nuclear arms control. 

He said that for such talks to be held, Washington first needs to revise its current policy toward Russia.

Mr Lavrov described the push for the revival of nuclear talks as “indecent” in view of Ukraine’s attacks on Russian nuclear-capable bomber bases during the conflict.

He accused the West of blocking any talks on ending the conflict in Ukraine.

Mr Lavrov said: “The West is pushing toward the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, and that raises new strategic risks.”

He reaffirmed that Russia will pursue the “special military operation” regardless of Western pressure.

“They should have no hope that Russia could be defeated in any way.”

He said: “Those in the West who fantasise about it have failed to learn history lessons.”