Lavrov: Russia, US close to finish line on START

Russia and the US are close to the finishing line on the new START agreement, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference Friday. He was speaking after the meeting between President Dmitry Medvedev and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton which took place in Barvikha, the presidential residence near Moscow.  

"We are happy with the way our negotiators are fulfilling the instructions of the presidents. This work is under the personal control of the presidents and there is every reason to believe that we are now close to the finishing line," Lavrov said.

When one of the reporters asked Lavrov to name the exact date and place of signing the new treaty the Foreign Minister Lavrov said: "Do you really believe that I will announce this?" Hillary Clinton also avoided a direct answer. She said negotiators in Geneva had made "substantial progress" on the pact. She added that the two sides "will be reaching a final agreement soon."