CIS

Home page

CIS

Russia, US sign agreement to cut strategic delivery systems

07 July 2009 10:33 (UTC +04:00)

Baku - APA. Russian and U.S. presidents Dmitriy Medvedev and Barack Obama signed a preliminary agreement on Monday to cut their countries’ nuclear arsenals to 1,500-1,675 operational warheads within seven years after a new arms reduction treaty comes into force, APA reports quoting RIA-Novosty. The framework deal agreed during Kremlin talks between Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama during the U.S. leader’s first visit to Russia sets guidelines for a new treaty to replace the START 1 pact, due to expire in December. "Within seven years after this treaty comes into force, and in the future, the limits for strategic delivery systems should be within the range of 500-1,100 units and for warheads linked to them within the range of 1,500-1,675 units," the framework agreement said.
The framework document says the new treaty would be in effect for 10 years and should include data exchange structures, inspections and measures to build confidence and improve transparency. The treaty would not cover cooperation in this sphere with third countries. Chief of Russian General Staff Nikolay Makarov said both countries were planning to conduct joint military exercises in future.
The presidents announced several other deals, including a deal allowing U.S. military transits via Russia into Afghanistan, and an agreement to set up a commission to step up cooperation in energy, business and scientific ties, and efforts against terrorism and drug trafficking.