MOSCOW, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Russia and the United States have brought their positions closer over a new START Treaty to curb strategic nuclear weapons, the RIA news agency quoted President Dmitry Medvedev as saying on Saturday.
"The talks will continue, they are not easy, but in general we have agreed with Americans on many positions," RIA quoted Medvedev as saying at a meeting with the leaders of Russian political parties.
The 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, was to expire on Dec. 5 and talks between Washington and Moscow to forge a new accord continue.
The new treaty is part of an effort to "reset" U.S.-Russia relations and both sides have pledged to abide by the terms of the old agreement until a new version can be cemented into place. Among the issues holding up the treaty were the numbers of allowable weapons and verification procedures, both of which require detailed discussion.
"We have made a serious step forward, to a considerable extent our positions are agreed," RIA quoted Medvedev as saying in Zavidovo, a presidential residence near Moscow.
Interfax also quoted Medvedev as saying that the future treaty must be ratified simultaneously by the two sides.
"Either we together ratify this document, which will reflect our views on strategic nuclear forces for the future, or this process may fail to take place," he was quoted as saying.
