Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has approved the new strategic arms reduction deal with the US and has set its terms for approving the pact.
The amendments by the State Duma includes Russia’s withdrawal from the treaty and adopting a programme for the development of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces.
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The US Senate ratified the new arms deal with Russia on 22 December 2010, with several additional amendments including a demand to build up US global missile defences.
The new treaty will replace the START 1 pact signed in April 2010 by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US President Barack Obama.
The treaty will be effective only after ratification by both houses of the Russian parliament, the State Duma and the Federation Council.
According to the new treaty, Russia and US nuclear arsenals will be slashed to a maximum of 1,550 nuclear warheads, from the current ceiling of 2,200, according to RIA Novosti.
