Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Obama Seeks Deal With Russia to Slash Nuclear Arms

Talks could reduce stockpiles by 80%

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 3, 2009 8:11 PM CST

(Newser) – President Obama plans to restart aggressive talks with Russia aimed at reducing both nations' nuclear arsenals by 80% to 1,000 warheads each, the Times of London reports. Obama will set up a special White House office to oversee the talks, aimed at forging a treaty to replace the 1991 START pact. Russia has been more flexible on the subject since Obama announced the US will review plans to put a missile-defense shield in Europe.

“We are going to re-engage Russia in a more traditional, legally binding arms reduction process,” said an administration official. “We are prepared to engage in a broader dialogue with the Russians over issues of concern to them. Nobody would be surprised if the number reduced to the 1,000 mark for the post-START treaty.”

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is seen in front of an intercontinental ballistic missile before its launch from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia in October.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is seen in front of an intercontinental ballistic missile before its launch from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia in October.   (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service)
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, right, speaks  during an international conference on humanitarian law in St. Petersburg, Russia, in November.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, right, speaks during an international conference on humanitarian law in St. Petersburg, Russia, in November.   (AP Photo)
In this May 29, 2007, file photo, a new intercontinental ballistic missile, called the RS-24, is launched at the Plesetsk launch, northwestern Russia.
In this May 29, 2007, file photo, a new intercontinental ballistic missile, called the RS-24, is launched at the Plesetsk launch, northwestern Russia.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Shannonals
Feb 4, 2009 3:12 AM CST
This isn't a new topic, only a new President doing actually what the Presidents before him have done.
Mr.C
Feb 4, 2009 1:13 AM CST
russia scares the "bajesus" out of me
Guest
Feb 3, 2009 9:22 PM CST
here we go people, this is why he is president! keeping it cool, mature, and under control instead of handling foreign policy with an American superiority complex.

More Newser Stories

Russians March on Kremlin to Protest Putin

Russian Cops Pitch Tantrum Over 'Toy Protest'

Putin: Why I'm Running Again

All Signs Point to Runaway Election Fraud in Russia

Putin Offers to Talk to Protesters


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne