Russia insists on the inclusion of U.S...

Russia and the United States have been negotiating a replacement to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty since presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama met in April last year, but finalizing a document has dragged on, with U.S. plans for missile defense in Europe a particular sticking point.

START 1, the cornerstone of post-Cold War arms control, expired on December 5.

"The treaty is some 95% ready, but we still have to resolve some issues, including getting the U.S. agreement to include the missile defense issues in the treaty," General Nikolai Makarov said in an interview with the Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily published on Tuesday.

Makarov said the previous treaty was skewed in favor of the United States and harmed Russia"s national interests. This time, Moscow wants to make sure that a new deal is based on parity and stability.

"If the Americans continue to expand their missile defenses, they will certainly target our nuclear capability and in this case

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