West keen to keep CFE

The United States and NATO members say they're ready to start considering an agreement on a Europe-wide arms treaty. The move has been prompted by concerns about Russia's intention to withdraw from the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty.

Washington says Russian and US delegations will meet again in the next few days to discuss the issue.

The Russian President declared a moratorium on compliance with the treaty in July, following NATO's refusal to ratify its amended version.

The treaty was signed in 1990 to establish a military balance between NATO members and the Communist Bloc.

It limits the amount of military hardware that can be deployed in Europe.

Nine years later, in Istanbul, it was amended and Russia promised to close its bases in Georgia and Moldova.

The U.S. says progress can only be made if Russia meets those agreements.

Russia says that the only Russian servicemen there now are peacekeepers.

On Wednesday, the State Duma will consider the President's draft on withdrawing from the treaty.