The United States Senate ratified on Wednesday a new nuclear arms reduction pact with Russia, with a vote of 71 for and 26 against.
The New START treaty, which restricts both nations to a maximum of 1,550 nuclear warheads, down from the current ceiling of 2,200, was signed by Russian and U.S. presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama in April.
The agreement will come into force after ratification by both houses of the Russian parliament. Medvedev earlier made it clear that Russia would not ratify the treaty until the pact is finally approved by the U.S. Senate.
WASHINGTON, December 22 (RIA Novosti)
