US and Russia edge closer to nuclear disarmament agreement

In Moscow today, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said "substantial progress" is being made toward a new nuclear arms disarmament agreement between Russia and the US. Speaking during a two-day visit to Russia, Clinton said that it's up to the two countries to take the leadership in nuclear security.

"It's especially important for the US and Russia who bear the responsibility...and counter the threat of nuclear terrorism."

After meeting with Clinton, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that both nations are at "the finish line" in negotiations. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, expired in December and current efforts are aimed at reducing the number of nuclear weapons allowed - that current level is 2,200. It also includes measures of how each country would verify the missile capabilities of the other.

Neither side offered a date by which the agreement could be reached, but Clinton said a treaty should be finalized "soon."

"We have a saying in the United States, don't count your chickens until they’re hatched...and then we'll look forward to setting a time and a place for this very important event."

Clinton is also in Moscow as part of the so-called Quartet of Middle East peace talks that include the US, Russia, the European Union and the UN. Those talks are scheduled to begin Friday.