US, Russia appear close to deal on nuclear arms
(VOVWORLD) - Russia said Tuesday it's ready to accept a US proposal to freeze the number of nuclear warheads and extend the nations' last arms control pact for one year.
Russian intercontinental ballistic missile in a parade in Red Square
(Source: New York Times)
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US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus welcomed the Russian offer and said that the US is ready to quickly clinch an agreement. "The US appreciates the Russian Federation’s willingness to make progress on the issue of nuclear arms control,” Ortagus said in a statement, adding that the US is prepared to meet immediately to finalize a verifiable agreement and expects Russia to empower its diplomats to do the same.
The New START treaty, signed in 2010, will expire in February, 2021. That accord was the last major nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the US.