"We would be comfortable to sign this agreement in the Ukrainian capital," Lavrov told a news briefing following talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Kostiantyn Gryshchenko.

"As far as a concrete decision on the venue for the agreement's signing is concerned, it's the presidents of Russia and the United States who will make it, proceeding from the possibility to compare schedules, (and) find an appropriate time and place," Lavrov said alongside Gryshchenko in televised remarks.

Kommersant newspaper reported Tuesday that Ukraine's new President Viktor Yanukovych had proposed during talks with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev earlier this month that Moscow and Washington sign the long-awaited deal to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in Ukraine.

The Czech capital Prague has previously been floated as a possible venue for the signing.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected in Russia Thursday for talks to iron out remaining disagreements surrounding the new nuclear disarmament treaty between the Cold War foes.

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