US President Bill Clinton congratulated Vladimir Putin on the ratification of the START II Treaty. He said it was a significant event for Russian-American relations and for the entire international community. During their conversation, the presidents expressed their commitment to strategic security and to beginning work on the START III Treaty and the strengthening of the ABM regime.
Vladimir Putin and Bill Clinton confirmed their previous agreement on a possible Russian-American summit prior to the G8 summit to be held in Okinawa.
Vladimir Putin received numerous messages from other countries’ leaders, the UN Secretary General and heads of other international organisations, congratulating him on the ratification of the START II Treaty.