U.S. -
Russia Relation: Signed New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
Presidents Barack Obama of the United States and Dmitry Medvedev of Russia
signed a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty for the reduction of their nuclear
weapons stockpiles on April 8, 2010.
The new START deal, which will last for ten years, was signed at a meeting in
Prague, where President Obama outlined his vision for nuclear disarmament and
non-proliferation around a year ago.
Speaking after the signing, President Obama said, “This day demonstrates the
determination of the United States and Russia - the two nations that hold over
90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons - to pursue responsible global
leadership.”
President Obama further said that the treaty would significantly reduce
missiles and launchers and puts in place a “strong and effective verification
regime.” He added that it would also maintain the flexibility needed to protect
and advance the U.S.’s national security and guarantee its “unwavering
commitment to the security of our allies.”
Describing the deal as a “win-win” for both countries, President 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.”
Specifically, the treaty agrees to aggregate limits of 1,550 warheads; a
combined limit of 800 deployed and non-deployed Inter-Continental Ballistic
Missile launchers, Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile launchers, and heavy
bombers equipped for nuclear armaments; and separate limit of 700 deployed
ICBMs, deployed SLBMs, and deployed heavy bombers equipped for nuclear
armaments.
