White House, Kremlin to keep START Treaty in force as talks continue
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Reporting from Washington — The Obama administration and the Kremlin agreed today to continue the provisions of their keystone nuclear arms control treaty while they try to negotiate a follow-on agreement.
The two governments issued a joint statement saying that, because of their desire for stability, “we express our commitment, as a matter of principle, to continue to work together in the spirit of the START Treaty following its expiration.”
The governments also cited a “firm intention to ensure that a new treaty on strategic arms enters into force at the earliest possible date.”
The governments have long been expected to reach a deal.
Senate approval, which is necessary for an agreement to take effect, may take months.
The United States and Russia have about 20,000 nuclear weapons between them, which is an estimated 90% to 95% of the world’s arsenal.
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