Russia, Nuclear | featured news

Sweeping pact pledges to cut stockpile of deployed, strategic nuclear weapons and commits the old Cold War rivals to new verification procedures.

The U.S. and Russian presidents are to sign a pact on Thursday committing the former Cold War foes to unprecedented nuclear arms reductions, cementing a hard-won deal that should put strained ties on firmer footing.

A phone call Friday morning with the Russian president confirmed the last outstanding details in the nuclear pact.

Russia will not support "crippling" sanctions against Iran, including any that may be slapped on the Islamic Republic's banking or energy sectors, a senior Russian diplomat said Wednesday.

Russia joined the U.S. and France in urging Iran to stop enriching uranium to higher levels in a statement shared Tuesday with The Associated Press, suggesting the project reinforced suspicions that Tehran is seeking to make nuclear weapons.