So what are the Russians saying about the newly-signed START Treaty with the United States? According to Vladimir Solovyev of the Russian newspaper Kommersant, major breakthroughs have been made in cutting nuclear arms and cracking down on Iran. And given the obvious good chemistry between Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, the article suggests that this may be only the beginning of a period of significant cooperation.
For Kommersant, Vladimir Solovyev writes in part:
Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama appeared satisfied with their work, which wasn’t confined to mechanically signing the treaty. Throughout the year, the two men have repeatedly taken the initiative into their own hands, personally leading their respective delegations of negotiators out of dead end situations in Geneva. And now they seem pleased. In any case, at the closing press conference they said that START has helped foster a true rapprochement between the countries.
“Today’s ceremony in Prague is a testament to the truth that old adversaries can forge new partnerships,” Barack Obama said, turning to his Russian colleague, who gladly accepted the pass. “The treaty has helped us take a new path. A very good personal relationship and very good personal chemistry has emerged, as they say.”
Fully in command of the attention in the hushed audience, the American president struck: “Those nations that refuse to meet their obligations will be isolated.” And just to make sure everything was entirely clear, he explained precisely who he had in mind. “We are working together at the United Nations Security Council to pass strong sanctions on Iran.”
Dimity Medvedev expressed his readiness to do everything to make Washington’s long-standing wish come true. “Iran isn’t responding to the many constructive proposals that have been made, and we can’t turn a blind eye to this.”
As far as the idea of a “nuclear zero,” Dmitry Medvedev found it interesting. While answering Kommersant’s question on when another agreement similar to START could be expected – but with a larger circle of nuclear power participants, he said, “It’s hard to imagine a situation in which we disarm while others move in the opposite direction.
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