Russia offers US freeze on N-warhead numbers

MOSCOW: Russia said on Tuesday it was ready to offer the United States a mutual one-year freeze on the number of nuclear warheads held by both countries in order to extend a landmark arms reduction deal due to expire next year.

"Russia offers to extend the New Start by one year and is ready to take on a political commitment with the United States to freeze the number of nuclear warheads both sides have for this period," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Russian President Vladimir Putin last week proposed extending by one year the New Start treaty, which is due to expire in February 2021.

The White House described the proposal as a "non-starter" unless accompanied by a freeze on the number of nuclear warheads. The ministry said the suspension could only take place on the understanding that there were no "additional" demands from the United States.