Even if Russia and the United States sign...

Russia and the United States have been negotiating a strategic arms reduction pact since the two countries" presidents, Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama, met in April last year, but work on the document has dragged on, with U.S. plans for missile defense in Europe a particular sticking point.

START 1, the cornerstone of a post-Cold War arms control setup, expired on December 5, 2009.

Moscow and Washington have indicated that the new treaty is almost ready for signing. According to American analysts, it will probably be signed on April 5 in Prague. Russian sources say it may take place three days later. The actual date is expected to be announced soon.

Russia has insisted that the document should be ratified by the two countries" parliaments simultaneously.

However, Margelov told RIA Novosti the new treaty may face opposition in the U.S. parliament.

"The Democrats" prospects in the midterm elections to the Congress in the fall of this year are not

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