New START "in line with Russia's interests"

New strategic arms reduction treaty (START) is in line with the interests of Russia, Deputy Chief of the General Headquarters of the National Armed Forces Alexander Burutin told a press conference Thursday.

He was summing up the results of a closed meeting of the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) on the ratification of the treaty. According to Burutin the new START will enable Russia to develop in conditions of "guaranteed strategic stability". 

Russia and the US signed the new START treaty on April 8 in Prague. The parties agreed on the synchronicity of the treaty's ratification.