国际英语新闻：Russia, U.S. to each cut nuclear warheads to 1,500, 1,675

MOSCOW, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Russia and the United States each plan to cut the number of their nuclear warheads to 1,500 and 1,675, a joint statement said Monday.

    "Within seven years after this treaty comes into force, and in future, the limits for strategic delivery systems should be within the range of 500-1,100 units and for warheads linked to them within the range of 1,500-1,675 units," said a joint document signed by the two countries' presidents.

    The document of understanding was adopted by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama.

    The current limit on both sides' warheads is 1,700 and 2,200.

    The specific figures will be fixed and agreed upon at further talks, the document said.

    The framework deal for the nuclear arms reductions also said that the new Russia-U.S. treaty in replacement of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) that expires Dec. 5 will cover 10 years, and the two countries will create an executive agency as part of the deal, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

    Russia also agreed to allow U.S. troops and weapons to cross its territory to Afghanistan, and the two sides have signed a frame document on cooperation between their armed forces.