Briefly

RUSSIA

US proposal to extend key treaty welcomed

Russia said on Friday that it welcomed a proposal by US President Joe Biden to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START. The accord is the last arms control agreement between the former Cold War rivals but negotiations to extend it had faltered under Biden's predecessor Donald Trump. "We can only welcome the political will to extend this document," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Thursday that the United States would lobby for a five-year extension to the pact. She said the extension was needed now more than ever given "adversarial" ties between Russia and the United States.

JAPAN

Suga 'determined' to hold Olympics

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Friday that he was "determined" to hold the Tokyo Olympics as organizers brushed off a report claiming officials think cancellation is inevitable. Suga's latest insistence that the postponed Games are on track came after The Times cited an unnamed government source saying Japan has already shifted its focus to hosting in 2032. "I am determined to realize a safe and secure Tokyo Games as proof that mankind will have overcome the virus," Suga said, without actively denying the Times report.

Xinhua - Agencies