OREANDA-NEWS. November 16, 2009. The two Presidents discussed progress on drawing up a new strategic arms reduction treaty to replace the START-1 Treaty, signed in 1991, which expires in early December.

Mr Medvedev and Mr Obama agreed to make the mechanism for verifying strategic arms reductions simpler and less costly.

In a joint press statement with Mr Obama following the talks Mr Medvedev said he hoped that the new strategic arms reduction treaty could be concluded in December this year.

The two leaders also examined options for settling issues related to the Iranian nuclear programme and the situation in Afghanistan.