Obama signs nuclear arms treaty with Russia
A file photo of Russia's Federation Council, which on Wednesday ratified the New START nuclear arms pact with the United States, the centerpiece of President Barack Obama's efforts to "reset" ties with Moscow. (Jan. 26, 2011) Credit: AP
President Barack Obama signed a nuclear arms treaty with Russia yesterday, a success for his administration on one of its top foreign policy priorities.
Obama, in signing the treaty in the Oval Office at the White House, said it was "the most significant arms control treaty in two decades."
The president overcame the objections of Senate Republicans to secure ratification of the treaty on Dec. 22. The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty limits each side's strategic warheads to no more than 1,550, from 2,200 allowed previously, and sets a maximum of 800 land-, air- and sea-based launchers.
The Russian parliament's upper chamber approved the accord Jan. 26.. Obama and Russian President Dimitry Medvedev agreed to the treaty in Prague in April.
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