Kremlin defends Russian refusal to attend U.S. nuclear security summit

The Kremlin has explained Russia's decision not to take part in an upcoming nuclear security summit in Washington by "a lack of interaction" in formulating issues to be addressed at the forum.

"Moscow believes that the elaboration on issues related to nuclear security requires common and joint efforts and mutual consideration of interests and positions. We did experience some lack of interaction while preliminarily elaborating on the summit's issues and topics. This is why there'll be no Russia's participation in this particular event," Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists on March 30 when asked why Russia would not be represented at this forum at a high level.

The nuclear security summit will take place Washington on March 31 - April 1.

Read more: Nuclear arms are becoming battlefield weapons – Russian arms control head>>>