Kremlin confirms Russia, U.S. to sign framework arms control deal

MOSCOW, July 3 (RIA Novosti) - The Kremlin confirmed on Friday that the Russian and U.S. presidents would sign a key framework arms control agreement during President Barack Obama's visit next week. "This will be a framework document setting out guidelines for further work on the draft treaty to replace the START 1 pact," presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko told reporters. Prikhodko said Moscow hoped a new treaty regulating the number of long-range nuclear weapons would be signed early next year, but that its contents must not be sacrificed for the sake of a date. The current Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed before the Soviet Union's breakup in 1991, and expires in December this year. Prikhodko did not specify figures on reductions in nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles to be included in the document, reiterating... [read full story]                    

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