MOSCOW, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Russia and the United States should resume dialogue on missile defense, a leading newspaper Monday quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov as saying.

"I especially emphasize the growing relevance of the missile defense issue. Let me remind you that an indestructible connection between strategic offensive arms and missile defense is noted in the preamble of the current Reduction of Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty (START)," Ryabkov told the Izvestia newspaper in an interview.

"There was no specific and concrete dialogue on this topic with the Americans for a long time. Now the moment has come when it should be resumed," added Ryabkov.

Effective as of Feb. 5, 2011, the New START requires the United States and Russia to limit the amount of strategic arms by Feb. 5, 2018. It is expected to last until 2021 with a possible five-year extension.