The new arms deal to replace the START treaty with the United States is 97% ready but U.S. plans for missile defenses in Eastern Europe are affecting the negotiations, the chief of Russia's General Staff said on Wednesday.
"Recent events in Eastern Europe have to some extent affected the negotiations. But this will be reflected in the new treaty," General Nikolai Makarov said.
He added that the treaty was 97% complete and only technical issues remain to be agreed.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said last week that his country was in talks with Washington on hosting elements of a U.S. missile shield on its territory, while Romania earlier said it had agreed on the deployment of interceptor missiles.
MOSCOW, February 17 (RIA Novosti)
