21 Dec 2010

Warning issued by Russia over treaty

1:42 pm on 21 December 2010

Russia has warned American lawmakers that any change to a new nuclear arms disarmament treaty between the two countries could destroy the pact.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the new START treaty cannot be reopened or renegotiated.

Republicans in the US Senate have recently pushed to change the treaty's wording.

Two-thirds of the 100 senators must back the treaty for it to be ratified.