Some members of the U.S. Senate are dragging their feet and kvetching about wording issues in the latest American-Russian disarmament pact, the START treaty, as they prepare to vote for its ratification. In response, they have received a clear message from Moscow: The terms of the treaty are no longer negotiable. –KA

BBC:

Russia has warned US lawmakers that any change to the new nuclear arms disarmament treaty between the two countries could destroy the pact.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the New Start treaty “cannot be reopened, becoming the subject of new negotiations” according to remarks reported by Interfax news agency.

Republicans in the US Senate have recently pushed to change its wording.

Two-thirds of the 100 US senators must back the treaty for it to be ratified.

“The Start agreement, which was drafted on the basis of strict parity, completely meets the national interests of both Russia and the United States,” Mr Lavrov told Interfax.

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