"The United States is ready to reschedule talks with Russia on the extension of the New START Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, so that they will be held as soon as possible, because the resumption of mutual inspections between the two countries on nuclear sites is a priority to preserve the treaty as a tool for stability," CNN quoted a spokesman for the US State Department as confirming.

The statements of the US State Department spokesman come after the Russian Foreign Ministry announced earlier today the postponement of the talks of the Russian-American bilateral committee on the "New START" treaty, which was scheduled to be held from November 29 to December 6, in the Egyptian capital Cairo.

The UN Under-Secretary-General and high representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, stressed at a press conference on arms control two days ago the importance of the return of the United States and Russia to the arms control dialogue as soon as possible to ensure the effectiveness of their contacts in crises.

"The United States and Russia should return to dialogue at the first available opportunity, even if only to ensure effective communication in a crisis,"she said.

The US Assistant Secretary of state for Arms Control, Verification and compliance, Mallory Stewart, said that the United States is ready to consider a new round of strategic dialogue with Russia, although it wants evidence of "good intentions" on the part of Moscow.