US-Russia sign landmark nuke arms reduction treaty

America and Russia have agreed to sign a landmark nuclear arms reduction treaty after months of deadlock. Both countries agreed to sharp cuts in the nuclear arsenals of both nations in the most comprehensive arms control treaty in two decades. US President Barack Obama said the new pact will strengthen the global effort to halt the spread of nuclear weapons. The deal marks President Obama's most significant foreign policy achievement since taking office.The replacement to the Cold War-era Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (Start) will also help boost his effort to reset relations with Moscow.Under the new agreement, each side will be limited to 700 armed launchers - such as missiles, bombers or submarines - that are ready to be fired. Reportedly, both sides would also be restricted to 1,550 nuclear warheads.Mr Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev finalised the agreement in a telephone conversation.