1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty to remain in force

The US and Russia have agreed that an expiring nuclear arms reduction treaty will remain in force while talks continue on replacing it.

The 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty expires on Saturday. Russia and the US have failed to sign a new pact, but both pledged to seek a replacement as soon as possible. The announcement came in a joint statement on Friday, after a telephone conversation between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his US counterpart Barack Obama. Diplomats in Moscow and Washington are now talking about finding a deal by the year-end.