U.S.-Russia Strategic Security Dialogue

Office of the Spokesperson

Today, Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Dr. Christopher A. Ford, who has been delegated the authorities and functions of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, led a U.S. interagency delegation to Vienna, Austria, to participate in a U.S.-Russia Strategic Security Dialogue. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov led the Russian delegation.

The Strategic Security Dialogue last took place on July 17, 2019, in Geneva, Switzerland, led by former Deputy Secretary John Sullivan. The United States and Russia intend to hold additional consultations as needed.

The delegations discussed their respective national strategic policies as a means to reduce misunderstandings and misperceptions on key security issues. The U.S. and Russian delegations discussed nuclear stockpiles and strategy, crisis and arms race stability, and the role and potential future of arms control, including the importance of moving beyond a solely bilateral format. The delegations decided to continue the Strategic Security Dialogue and also to begin expert-level engagement on particular topics in the near future.

Assistant Secretary Ford will travel to Brussels, Belgium, on January 17 to brief Allies at NATO headquarters.