Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The Kremlin announced late Saturday 12 December that the Russian and US presidents, Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama, discussed by phone Saturday the progress made in Geneva with talks to replace the Start I treaty. The Russian government had said Friday that it will be meeting with US this coming week, in Geneva. The talks have been shrouded in secrecy, with a virtual news blackout, but reports have emerged that differences are linked to verification procedures.

The Kremlin issued a  statement Saturday that “the heads of state agreed to give the order to continue active work and not to reduce the high level and tempo of cooperation, with the aim of securing decisive agreements on all issues,” according to Reuters. Ria Novosti in Moscow quoted the Kremlin as stating that the two men “noted with satisfaction that the work of the two countries’ delegations in Geneva is intensive and targeted, which allows [us] to speak of considerable progress in the talks.”

The US has not issued an official confirmation but Reuters reports that an official in the Obama adminstration confirmed Saturday the conversation took place.

The two countries have been negotiating in Geneva since July to replace the Start treaty which was set to expire 5 December. The old treaty will remain indefinitely until an agreement is reached on the new one but both governments have said they want to agree on a text for the treaty by the end of 2009.

Background, GenevaLunch

Links to other sites: Reuters, Ria Novosti

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