ROME — U.S. and Russian negotiators emerged optimistic Friday after discussions aimed at creating a deal to reduce their nuclear weapon stockpiles.
The goal is to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty before it expires in December. The deal capped the number of warheads and reduced ways of delivering them. Both sides have said they are ready for further cuts.
Friday’s meeting focused on procedural issues, setting the agenda for further discussions. More meetings will take place in the next two months, officials said.
The two sides hope to meet the deadline for a new deal, said Anatoly Antonov, chief of security and disarmament issues at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
A treaty would not only boost relations, but would also help efforts by the U.S. and the international community to stop nuclear programs by countries like Iran and North Korea, said Giuseppe Anzera, an international relations professor at Rome’s La Sapienza university.
"When the United States and Russia take such a position in favor of nonproliferation, they have much more weight in dealing with those countries who are trying to develop nuclear weapon programs,” he said.
by the associated press
The goal is to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty before it expires in December. The deal capped the number of warheads and reduced ways of delivering them. Both sides have said they are ready for further cuts.
Friday’s meeting focused on procedural issues, setting the agenda for further discussions. More meetings will take place in the next two months, officials said.
The two sides hope to meet the deadline for a new deal, said Anatoly Antonov, chief of security and disarmament issues at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
A treaty would not only boost relations, but would also help efforts by the U.S. and the international community to stop nuclear programs by countries like Iran and North Korea, said Giuseppe Anzera, an international relations professor at Rome’s La Sapienza university.
"When the United States and Russia take such a position in favor of nonproliferation, they have much more weight in dealing with those countries who are trying to develop nuclear weapon programs,” he said.
by the associated press
