Most are now discussing the world's news: the United States and Russia signed on 8 April in Prague, a new treaty on strategic offensive armaments. The two countries will continue to reduce their nuclear arsenals are not at the expense of safety and with benefit to the economy. 
Russia and the U.S. have been negotiating a new treaty on strategic offensive weapons from last year. This topic is raised and at the London Summit in April 2009, and three months later, in July, at a meeting of Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama in Moscow. 
Old START expire on December 5, but until that time could not agree. The understanding was, but there were differences in detail. Today a telephone conversation the two presidents had high expectations, both in Moscow and Washington. Hopes dashed: the new treaty will be signed on 8 April in Prague. 
The news, which immediately became the main world news. The British newspaper The Independent has called this arrangement "is perhaps the most important agreement between the former superpower rivals, since the end of the Cold War." 
Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister: "At today's call, U.S. and Russian presidents have been expressed mutual satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiation process. It was possible to solve the main problem: an absolutely equal basis with the principle of equal and indivisible security agreement on actual reductions in strategic offensive arms." 
Barak Obama, U.S. President: "By signing this treaty, Russia and the United States - the two largest nuclear powers in the world - make clear their willingness to abide by their commitments and strengthen the efforts for nuclear nonproliferation and expect that other countries would honor their commitments . I want to express my gratitude to President Dmitry Medvedev for his personal involvement in our work on this project. " 
Under the new treaty between Moscow and Washington should maintain nuclear parity, close to absolute. Nuclear arsenals will be reduced not only in comparison with the old START in 1991, they decreased by one third compared to the "ceiling" set by the Moscow Treaty, which was signed in 2002, Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush. 
Now the nuclear potentials of the two countries are estimated at about a 2150 ready to launch warheads at U.S. and 2600 - from Russia. There will be no more than 1,550 in each of the parties. The total number of launchers for intercontinental ballistic missiles, ballistic missiles on submarines and nuclear bombers should not exceed 800 units - is considering how detailed that is combat-ready and non-deployed, mothballed in storage. 
Nikolai Makarov, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces: the START II Treaty provides for access to the technical parameters established for 7 years. Arrangements with the U.S. START remove mutual concerns and fully meet Russia's security interests. " 
In the new document are registered, including those provisions which have not been able to agree last year. Everything that concerns the exchange of data, inspection and verification procedures, measures for alterations and the elimination of nuclear warheads. Will be established Bilateral Consultative Commission that will facilitate the implementation of the treaty. 
Another important point - in the text stipulates that both Russia and the U.S. must deploy strategic nuclear weapons solely on its territory. That is, Cuban missile crisis will not recur. 
Andranik Migranyan, a political scientist: "Reaching agreement on START is further proof that Washington and Moscow have a policy of restarting. 
Dimitri Simes: "This contract underlines the special relationship and the special responsibilities of the United States and Russia, stressed that Russia remains a great nuclear power and that the U.S. understands that relations with Russia are unique to this nuclear option, than with any other country." 
The value of the contract can not be overemphasized. First, it is in fact, not in words helps to build confidence between Russia and the U.S.. Secondly, it reaffirms the commitment of the two countries agreed on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Thirdly, it is important too - cuts in START would greatly relieve the budget. 
The contract will be concluded for 10 years, if during this time will not be accepted a new agreement - to further reduce nuclear arsenals. 
Gregory Emelianov