Moscow, Dec 17 (RIA Novosti) The US has slowed down talks on a nuclear arms reduction deal with Russia in the last few days, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday.
Asked to comment on media reports that a new landmark pact to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expired Dec 5, is unlikely to be signed this year, Lavrov said: “Work is continuing, but we have noticed a slowdown in US negotiators’ efforts.”

Echoing earlier statements from Washington, Lavrov said the deal was unlikely to be signed in Copenhagen on the sidelines of the ongoing UN climate conference this week.

Lavrov said that while there were still a lot of small details to be addressed, “we are moving toward our goal”.

A State Department official said on condition of anonymity Wednesday that the new START 1 was unlikely to be signed this year, the deadline earlier set by the two countries’ presidents.

The statements come after Washington and Moscow said earlier this month they were wrapping up talks on the replacement to the START. Media reports suggested it could be signed in the Danish capital.

“We have already agreed on a lot of issues of fundamental importance and must take care not to restart old discussions,” Lavrov said.

He also said the US and Russia must seek two main goals - to reduce as many weapons as possible and drop control and verification arrangements used in the Cold War period.