The date for the signing ceremony of a new strategic arms pact between Russia and the United States has not yet been set, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
"In regard to the date for signing the document, there is no official agreement. The decision on the date can be made only by the presidents of Russia and the United States, and they are determined to do this soon," Andrei Nesterenko said.
On Wednesday, a Kremlin source who had requested anonymity said the signing ceremony could be held in Prague, without specifying a date.
"Prague is considered to be the most likely venue for the signing of a strategic arms reduction treaty. All the documents are ready for signing," the source said.
The White House indicated later on Wednesday the Kremlin may have jumped the gun in announcing that the pact was ready to be signed.
"We are very close to having an agreement on a START treaty, but we won't have one until President Obama and his counterpart Mr. Medvedev have a chance to speak," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
Acting Deputy Department Spokesman Mark Toner said: "We are still working to finalize a new START treaty but we have talked to our Czech allies and the Russians about a signing in Prague when the treaty is finished," adding the sides were "close but not finished."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier the treaty was 20 pages long, with an extensive protocol attached.
Russia and the United States have been negotiating a strategic arms reduction pact since the two countries' presidents met in April last year, but the 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, March 25 (RIA Novosti)
