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Russian president ratifies START II treaty |
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May 5, 2000
MOSCOW, MAY 4 (AP) - President Vladimir Putin signed the START II treaty on Thursday, affirming the Russian parliament's approval of the plan to cut U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, the presidential press service said.
The treaty obligates Russia and the United States to slash nuclear stockpiles to 3,000-3,5000 nuclear warheads each. It was approved last month by both chambers of parliament, ending seven years of deadlock.
Putin, who won election in March, has made nuclear arms reduction a key part of his policies. Boris Yeltsin, the previous president, failed to get the agreement approved by the parliament because of strong opposition from Communists and nationalists.
Putin, however, has warned the United States that he will abandon all arms control agreements if Washington presses ahead with plans for a limited nuclear defense system. Putin claims the U.S. move would violate the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and lead to a major new nuclear arms race.
New amendments to START II still must be approved by the U.S Senate before it takes effect, but Russian approval sets the stage for talks on further arms cuts. |