Russia, Nuclear Arms Deal | featured news

Top Democrats blasted their GOP counterparts Wednesday for intentionally delaying consideration of the new nuclear arms treaty with Russia -- a top presidential priority in the current lame duck session of Congress.

Russia may lift the veil on its vast nuclear arsenal after a new strategic arms reduction treaty with the United States comes into force, a spokesman for Russia's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

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.