Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed hope on Thursday that Moscow and Washington would ratify the new strategic arms reduction treaty in the near future.

"I hope it will be done as soon as possible," Medvedev said at a news conference with his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama.

Russia and the United States signed the new treaty on the reduction of strategic offensive weapons in Prague on April 8. The document will replace the START 1 treaty, which expired in December 2009.

The new strategic arms pact stipulates that the number of nuclear warheads is to be reduced to 1,550 on each side, while the number of deployed and non-deployed delivery vehicles must not exceed 800 on each side.

Under the deal, which will be valid for 10 years unless superseded by another agreement, strategic offensive weapons cannot be based on the territory of any third country.

Medvedev and Obama agreed that the ratification processes should be simultaneous.

"Our task, the task of the two presidents, is to ensure its calm and foreseeable ratification by our parliaments," Medvedev said.

He said both houses of the Russian parliament are already holding hearings on the issue.

WASHINGTON, June 24 (RIA Novosti)