US Prepared to Negotiate Further Arms Reduction With Russia - Kerry

The United States is ready to negotiate with Russia a further reduction in nuclear weapons, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday in Hiroshima, Japan.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US top diplomat explained that modern technology allows states to "determine the strength of our deterrence" without resorting to stockpiling fissionable material that could lead to a nuclear explosion.

"We are prepared to negotiate with Russia for a further reduction in nuclear weapons after we have ratified — we did ratify the START [Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty] agreement," Kerry told reporters.

The United States and Russia have both significantly reduced nuclear weapons stockpiles since the Cold War, Kerry noted and pledged that Washington is prepared to further reduce its holdings of nuclear material.

Kerry also said that the administration US President Barack Obama also wants to ratify the Nuclear Test Ban but has not been able to get the US Senate to act on the measure.