U.S., Russia agree to arms reduction

MOSCOW, July 6 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed Monday to reduce their countries' strategic arsenals.

The joint understanding the leaders signed in Moscow commits the United States and Russia to reduce their strategic warheads to a range of 1,500-1,675, and their strategic delivery vehicles to a range of 500-1,100. The maximum allowable levels of warheads now is 2,200 and the maximum allowable levels of launch vehicles is 1,600.

"These are the new parameters within which our dialog will be going on and where we hope to achieve final agreement that will be part of the new treaty," Medvedev said during a joint news conference with Obama.

The agreement was seen as key to discussions on an accord to succeed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expires in December.

"(We've) taken important steps forward to increase nuclear security and to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. This starts with the reduction of our own nuclear arsenals," Obama said. "We have signed a joint understanding for a follow-on treaty to the START agreement that will reduce our nuclear warheads and delivery systems by up to a third from our current treaty limitations. This legally binding treaty will be completed this year."

The joint understanding includes verification measures, a fact sheet issued by the White House said. It also will enhance the security of the United States and Russia, as well as provide predictability and stability in strategic offensive forces.