U.S. President Barack Obama says he’s ready to work with Russia to “update” an agreement that has helped dismantle thousands of nuclear and chemical weapons in the former Soviet Union.
Obama acknowledged on December 3 that Moscow said it will not renew the Cooperative Threat Reduction program without changes to that 20-year-old pact.
"Russia has said that our current agreement doesn't keep pace with the changing relationship between our countries," Obama said. "To which we say: 'Let's update it.' Let's work with Russia as an equal partner. Let's continue the work that is so important to the security of both our countries."
Officials say the U.S.-funded program has helped deactivate more than 7,650 strategic warheads and thousands of missiles.
Obama acknowledged on December 3 that Moscow said it will not renew the Cooperative Threat Reduction program without changes to that 20-year-old pact.
"Russia has said that our current agreement doesn't keep pace with the changing relationship between our countries," Obama said. "To which we say: 'Let's update it.' Let's work with Russia as an equal partner. Let's continue the work that is so important to the security of both our countries."
Officials say the U.S.-funded program has helped deactivate more than 7,650 strategic warheads and thousands of missiles.