U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia's decision to suspend participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty disappointing, saying that the United States would be watching closely what Russia would do, the New York Times reported.

Russia's announcement to suspend participation in START III is extremely disappointing and irresponsible, Blinken said on his way to Athens, the newspaper reports.

According to the paper, Blinken said the U.S. is ready to talk to Russia about strategic arms limitation at any time, regardless of what is going on in the world or in their relations.