Obama, Medvedev Say They Have Reset US-Russia Relations

24 June 2010

President Barack Obama and Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev take part i

U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev say they have succeeded in resetting their countries' relationship, which had drifted in recent years. The two leaders discussed trade and security at the White House Thursday, after going out for hamburgers.

Presidents Obama and Medvedev say the United States and Russia will broaden their cooperation on intelligence and counterterrorism, and have improved their economic ties.

Mr. Obama told reporters he and Mr. Medvedev have put their countries' relationship on a firmer footing, despite disagreeing about Russia's tensions with Georgia.

"Our two countries continue to disagree on certain issues, such as Georgia, and we addressed those differences candidly," he said. "But by moving forward in areas where we do agree, we have succeeded in resetting our relationship, which benefits regional and global security."

The president said he and his counterpart have moved beyond only discussing the issues covered in most previous U.S.-Russian meetings.

"Because 20 years after the end of the Cold War, the U.S.-Russian relationship has to be about more than just security and arms control," he said. "It has to be about our shared prosperity, and what we can build together."