Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama agreed on Wednesday to order the speedy completion of a new strategic arms reduction deal, the Kremlin said.
"The heads of state expressed their satisfaction at the good progress made during the recently completed Moscow round of talks on preparation for the signing of a new strategic nuclear forces deal," a Kremlin statement said.
The statement added that Medvedev and Obama had agreed during their "constructive and friendly" telephone conversation to give their delegations orders to complete the deal "in the near future".
Medvedev said on Sunday the new arms cuts pact with the United States was "95%" agreed on.
A new document to replace the START 1 treaty, which expired on December 5, has not been signed yet over disagreements on verification and control arrangements to be included in the document.
The new treaty's outline, as agreed on by the Russian and U.S. presidents, includes cutting nuclear arsenals to 1,500-1,675 operational warheads and delivery vehicles to 500-1,000.
Medvedev and Obama pledged at their first meeting in April 2009 to replace the START I treaty as part of broader efforts to "reset" bilateral ties strained in recent years.
MOSCOW, January 27
RIA Novosti
