Russia, U.S. have good chance to reach new arms cut deal: Medvedev

MOSCOW, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- There is a good chance that Russia and the United States will clinch a new nuclear arms reduction treaty by the end of this year, President Dmitry Medvedev said Friday.

"There is certainly a chance for the agreement, since the new U.S. administration has demonstrated interest in this topic," Medvedev told Russia's Channel One TV station in an interview to be broadcast Sunday.

Medvedev said Russia and the United States have made progress in nuclear arms talks since President Barack Obama took office in January.

Negotiators, the president said, have been instructed to reach a new deal before Dec. 5, when the existing Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-1) expires.

"But both sides have to demonstrate wisdom and the desire to listen to each other, as well as an understanding of modern realities," he said.

The president also said he strongly opposes the emergence of new nuclear powers. "We are against the extension of the nuclear club," he said. "Otherwise the situation will get out of control."

Medvedev and Obama agreed in July in Moscow on the outline of are placement for the START-1, including slashing their countries' nuclear arsenals to 1,500-1,675 operational warheads and delivery vehicles to 500-1,000.

The START-1, signed in 1991, places a limit of 6,000 strategic or long-range nuclear warheads on both countries.