Signed in 2010, the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is a cornerstone of global arms control. The Kremlin declared the breakthrough, which was widely anticipated, in a statement announcing that Putin and Biden had spoken for the first time since Biden took office on Jan 20. "They discussed both countries’ willingness to extend New START for five years, agreeing to have their teams work urgently to complete the extension by Feb 5," the White House said. The White House said last week Biden would seek a five-year extension. In its statement, the Kremlin said that Putin had told Biden a normalisation of relations between Moscow and Washington would be in both countries' interest.

Source: bd News24 January 26, 2021 23:03 UTC