AMSTERDAM — Russia is ready for deep cuts of strategic nuclear weapons in a new deal with the U.S. if the U.S. eases Moscow’s concerns about plans for a missile defense system, President Dmitry Medvedev said Saturday.
Medvedev lifted hopes for progress when President Barack Obama visits Moscow on July 6-9 for talks focusing on replacing the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expires in December.
Launching the talks was part of Obama’s efforts to improve ties with Russia.
U.S. and Russian arms negotiators have met several times in the last two months to prepare for the Moscow summit, with much of the discussion revolving around the missile defense system that Washington had planned to install in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Medvedev didn’t say what specific steps Russia expects the U.S. to take to assuage Moscow’s concerns, but the wording of his statement indicated readiness for a compromise. He did not refer to the missile system when speaking to reporters after meeting Dutch leaders.
by the associated press
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