[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
[May 24, 2002]
[Pages 867-869]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Treaty Between the United States of America and the Russian Federation 
on Strategic Offensive Reductions
May 24, 2002

    The United States of America and the Russian Federation, hereinafter 
referred to as the Parties,
    Embarking upon the path of new relations for a new century and 
committed to the goal of strengthening their relationship through 
cooperation and friendship,
    Believing that new global challenges and threats require the 
building of a qualitatively new foundation for strategic relations 
between the Parties,
    Desiring to establish a genuine partnership based on the principles 
of mutual security, cooperation, trust, openness, and predictability,

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    Committed to implementing significant reductions in strategic 
offensive arms,
    Proceeding from the Joint Statements by the President of the United 
States of America and the President of the Russian Federation on 
Strategic Issues of July 22, 2001 in Genoa and on a New Relationship 
between the United States and Russia of November 13, 2001 in Washington,
    Mindful of their obligations under the Treaty Between the United 
States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the 
Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms of July 31, 1991, 
hereinafter referred to as the START Treaty,
    Mindful of their obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the 
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of July 1, 1968, and
    Convinced that this Treaty will help to establish more favorable 
conditions for actively promoting security and cooperation, and 
enhancing international stability,
    Have agreed as follows:

Article I

    Each Party shall reduce and limit strategic nuclear warheads, as 
stated by the President of the United States of America on November 13, 
2001 and as stated by the President of the Russian Federation on 
November 13, 2001 and December 13, 2001 respectively, so that by 
December 31, 2012 the aggregate number of such warheads does not exceed 
1700-2200 for each Party. Each Party shall determine for itself the 
composition and structure of its strategic offensive arms, based on the 
established aggregate limit for the number of such warheads.

Article II

    The Parties agree that the START Treaty remains in force in 
accordance with its terms.

Article III

    For purposes of implementing this Treaty, the Parties shall hold 
meetings at least twice a year of a Bilateral Implementation Commission.

Article IV

    1. This Treaty shall be subject to ratification in accordance with 
the constitutional procedures of each Party. This Treaty shall enter 
into force on the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification.
    2. This Treaty shall remain in force until December 31, 2012 and may 
be extended by agreement of the Parties or superseded earlier by a 
subsequent agreement.
    3. Each Party, in exercising its national sovereignty, may withdraw 
from this Treaty upon three months written notice to the other Party.

Article V

    This Treaty shall be registered pursuant to Article 102 of the 
Charter of the United Nations.
    Done at Moscow on May 24, 2002, in two copies, each in the English 
and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.


 For the                                 For the
 United States of America:               Russian Federation:
  George W. Bush                          Vladimir V. Putin
 

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this treaty.


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