U.S., Russia sign nuclear arms pact

Washington DC: Presidents Barack Obama of the United States and Dmitry Medvedev of Russia signed a Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty which will reduce their nuclear weapons stockpiles by a third on Thursday.

The START deal, which will last for 10 years, was signed at a meeting in Prague, where Mr. Obama outlined his vision for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation about a year ago.

Speaking after the signing, Mr. Obama said: “This day demonstrates the determination of the United States and Russia — the two nations that hold over 90 per cent of the world's nuclear weapons — to pursue responsible global leadership.”

He said the treaty would significantly reduce missiles and launchers and put in place a “strong and effective verification regime”. He said it would maintain the flexibility needed to protect and advance the U.S.' national security and guarantee its “unwavering commitment to the security of our allies”.

Describing the deal as a “win-win” for both countries, Mr. Medvedev said: “This agreement enhances strategic ability and, at the same time, allows us to rise to a higher level of cooperation between Russia and the United States.”