President Putin: Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty is crucial

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the US-Russian Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT) as "a crucial document in the sphere of strategic stability." The document's stipulations enable Russia to develop its strategic forces "at the level of reasonable sufficiency considering both the country's economic capabilities and the dynamics of the politico-military situation in the world," the President told a gathering of leaders of lower house of parliament factions in the Kremlin on Tuesday.

The head of state suggested the gathering discuss preparations for ratification by Russia's parliament of a series of international treaties and agreements, in the first instance SORT.

"Russia has more than once stated its interest in the consolidation of the legal system of international relations and in security of observance of legally binding arms control regimes," Putin pronounced. He made a point of voicing his conviction that "differences on particular issues on the international agenda must not lead to the appearance of a legal vacuum in these vital areas."