US, Russia begin new round of nuke talks

GENEVA: Russia and the United States met in Geneva yesterday for a fresh round of talks on renewing a key Cold war-era nuclear arms reduction treaty that expires at the end of the year.

Negotiating teams began the first day of their meeting on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) behind closed doors at the Russian mission in the western Swiss city, a Russian diplomat said.

"The Americans arrived as expected at 11.00 am at the Russian mission to start the second round," she said.