Medvedev calls for security talks with Obama

Jul 2, 2009, 13:55 GMT

Moscow - President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday said Russia wanted US President Barak Obama's forthcoming visit to centre on the issue of international security and cooperation in this regard.

'There are problems we simply cannot resolve on our own, acting unilaterally. This is true above all of international security: the fight against terrorism, extremism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and drugs trafficking,' Medvedev said in comments released by the Kremlin.

Obama is expected to pay a first official visit to Russia next week (July 6-8).

Medvedev reflected on Russia-US relations that had 'declined to a level practically on a part with the Cold War era' under Obama's predecessor, George W Bush.

'The new administration headed by President Obama is showing its willingness to change the situation and build more effective, reliable, and ultimately more modern relations,' he said.

'We are ready to play our part,' Medvedev noted.

The two leaders are to discuss, among other matters, the agreement that will replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) when it expires at the end of the year. Experts expect a new deal that will make for a maximum of 1,500 nuclear warheads per country.

Moscow and Washington have disagreed over the US' plans to build a missile defence shield in central Europe, the ambitions of Georgia and Ukraine for NATO membership, as well as dealing with Iran's nuclear program.

Obama intends meeting with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and opposition politicians before departing to attend the Group of Eight (G8) summit in Italy.