US, Russia set to agree new arms deal

A Kremlin official says Russia and the United States have agreed a landmark nuclear arms reduction treaty.

But the White House cautions that some issues still need to be worked out before the deal to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, can be signed.

Robert Gibbs, White House Spokesman, said, "I've said on many occasions that we are making strong progress toward getting an agreement. We are, I think, very close to having an agreement on a START treaty but won't have one until President Obama and his counterpart Mr Medvedev have a chance to speak again."

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs smiles as he speaks to the media during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington Monday, March 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)