22. Calls on the Presidency to express the EU's support for the talks between Russia and the US on a new agreement to succeed START and for the initiatives aimed at building a joint missile defence system between the US, Russia and NATO; expresses its optimism that a START deal might be reached by the end of 2009;

22. Calls on the Presidency to express the EU's support for the talks between Russia and the US on a new agreement to succeed START and for the initiatives aimed at building a joint missile defence system between the US, Russia and NATO; expresses its optimism that a START deal might be reached by the end of 2009;

deepen its dialogue with the new US administration and all nuclear-weapons powers, with a view to pursuing a common agenda aimed at progressive reduction of the nuclear warheads stockpile; in particular, support those steps being taken by the USA and Russia to substantially reduce their nuclear weapons as agreed in START I and in SORT; press for ratification of the CTBT and renewal of the START agreement;

We now look forward to the early ratification of START II. We support the safe and secure dismantlement of the nuclear weapons eliminated under START I and we welcome the work of the United States and Russia on measures to ensure that the fissile material from these weapons is rendered unusable for weapons purposes.

The Council agreed on the following early practical steps to strengthen relations with Ukraine: (a) a visit by the Troika, at Foreign Minister or another appropriate level, to present the agreed policy of the EU to the Ukrainian government and to discuss the future development of relations, building on the groundwork set at the meeting with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Udovenko on 4 October; (b) the institution, as soon as possible, of regular Troika consultations with the Ukrainians at Political Director level and, as appropriate, at Foreign Minister level, in anticipation of the relevant provisions of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement; (c) renewed efforts, through political contacts and diplomatic channels, to impress upon the ...[+++] Ukrainian government and parliament, the need for Ukraine to accede to the NPT as a non-nuclear weapons State at the earliest possible time, the importance of full implementation of the START I and START II agreements and to maintain the momentum of the nuclear disarmament process; (d) the offer of advice on drafting a new constitution and a new electoral law; (e) to look at opportunities for improving trade and industrial cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in an early Joint Committee; (f) examination of the advisability of and conditions for possible membership of the Ukrainian Science and Technology Centre in Kiev.

We have the START II agreement between Russia and the U.S. to get rid of nuclear weapons which is not being enforced but which was supposed to be enforced a good two years ago.