The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) came into effect on Saturday as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov exchanged ratification documents. The ministers met on Feb. 5 during the Munich Security Conference.
The New START includes a 30 percent reduction in each country’s nuclear stockpile within seven years and is seen as a crucial step in improving bilateral relations between the former Cold War foes.
According to the State Department, the first requirement that will need to be met within eight weeks is an initial exchange of databases on nuclear weapons. On-site inspections will soon be possible as well.
A State Department document about the treaty describes the resulting reduction in nuclear arsenals as a way to "increase stability in the U.S.-Russian nuclear relationship" while maintaining the "force level we need to protect ourselves."
The newly ratified treaty replaces the old START agreement that expired on Dec 2009.
The New START was ratified by the U.S. Congress in December and by Russia's Upper House at the end of last month. It has a duration period of 10 years with an option for renewal.
