United States to hold talks on tactical nuclear weapons with Russia

US President Barack Obama and senior officials after signing the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), February 2, 2011.

From RIA Novosti:  The United States expects to hold talks with Russia on tactical nuclear weapons (TNW) within a year after the New START arms reduction treaty comes into force, President Barack Obama said in a message to the Senate on Wednesday.

"The United States will seek to initiate, following consultation with NATO Allies but not later than 1 year after the entry into force of the New START Treaty, negotiations with the Russian Federation on an agreement to address the disparity between the non-strategic (tactical) nuclear weapons stockpiles of the Russian Federation and of the United States," the message reads.

Earlier on Wednesday, Obama signed ratification papers for the New START – a keystone of his painstaking effort to reset relations with Russia.

When ratifying the New START deal in December, the United States Senate adopted a resolution obligating the government to start bilateral talks on cutting the TNW stockpiles – landmines, artillery shells and short-range missiles. Washington says Moscow has a larger number of these systems.  (photo: Jason Reed/Reuters)

United States and Canada

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