Analysts say whenever the two sides agree on a new treaty, that pact must still be ratified by the U.S.Senate and the Russian Parliament - or Duma.

VOA: standard.2009.12.07

Despite Verkhovsky's skepticism about the Russian government's willingness to help NGOs, the State Duma is debating a bill that would ease some of the tighter regulations governing NGOs.

VOA: standard.2009.08.04

"Having said that, one of the tricks here is to try and get something done in time for the legislative process - that is the United States Senate and the Duma in Russia - to approve whatever they do before the START-1 treaty expires in December,".

VOA: standard.2009.04.08