国际英语新闻：New START treaty to combine offensive, defensive weapons: Lavrov

MOSCOW, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reassured Tuesday that the new strategic arms reduction treaty (START) with the United States will combine offensive and defensive weaponry.

Lavrov reiterated Russia's stance concerning the issue in a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Konstantin Grishchenko broadcast live by local TV station Russia Today.

"It would be comfortable for Moscow to sign the strategic arms reduction treaty with Washington in Kiev, but the choice is up to the Russian and American presidents," said Russia's top diplomat.

Lavrov also said that Russia would be happy to sign the new START treaty with the United States in Kiev, Russian news agencies reported.

"There will be a legally binding link with missile defense, so no problems will arise," he said.

Earlier Russian media reported that Kiev had suggested to serve as the venue of the signing ceremony, in an effort from the newly elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to position as a link between Russia and the West.

Grishchenko said at the press conference held in Moscow that signing the new START treaty in Kiev would strengthen non- proliferation regime.

"We believe the very fact of this agreement being signed in Kiev could be an important signal for those countries which are still in limbo and will contribute to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," said Grishchenko.

Russia and the United States have been working on a new arms control deal since Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. president Barack Obama met in April last year, but they failed to reach a pact before START-1 expired in December.

An outline of the new pact, agreed by both presidents, includes slashing nuclear warheads to 1,500-1,675 and delivery vehicles to 500-1,000.

The U.S. missile defense plans have become a major sticking point in the nuclear disarmament negotiations.

Boris Gryzlov, Speaker of the Russian State Duma, or the lower house of the parliament, said earlier Tuesday that the State Duma might not ratify the new treaty if it is not linked to missile defense.