英语文摘：Obama, Medvedev agree to sign nuclear arms deal soon: White House

WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The White House on Saturday confirmed that U.S. President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev have agreed to sign a nuclear arms control treaty soon.

"The results of their talks are encouraging, and both leaders are committed to concluding an agreement soon," said White House spokesman Mike Hammer, referring to an earlier telephone conversation between Obama and Medvedev.

The Kremlin said earlier that the two presidents have agreed to "talk about specific dates for signing a new arms reduction treaty, " which is expected to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty that expired on Dec. 5, 2009.