Russia and US reach deal on nuclear arms cuts

The US and Russia have reached agreement on a reduction in their nuclear arsenals.

The US and Russia have reached agreement on a reduction in their nuclear arsenals.

US President Mr Bush today announced agreement on a treaty to sharply cut nuclear arsenals to 1,700-2,200 from levels of about 6,000 to 7,000.

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This treaty will liquidate the legacy of the Cold War
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President George W Bush

White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer said that under the new agreement the arsenals would be reduced through putting some weapons in storage and dismantling others.

"This treaty will liquidate the legacy of the Cold War," President Bush said, adding the treaty would be formally ratified in Moscow during his trip to Russia at the end of May.

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"The new era will be a period of enhanced mutual security, economic security and improved relations," he said.

Final agreement on the treaty was reached Monday morning by US and Russian negotiators in Moscow.

The agreement represents a second leg of a new US/Russian strategic relationship sought by Mr Bush. He has also planned to scrap the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty to develop a US missile defence system Russia has opposed.