Obama predicts ‘extraordinary progress’ at Moscow arms summit

Barack Obama today told Russian president Dmitry Medvedev that the two countries could make "extraordinary progress" on the many issues they have in common after he arrived in Moscow for arms talks.

Referring to meetings between the two leaders during the London G20 summit in April, Mr Obama said: "We are confident that we can continue to build on the excellent discussions that we had in London."

Speaking in the Kremlin, he added: "And that on a whole host of issues — including security issues, economic issues, energy issues, environmental issues — that the United States and Russia have more in common than they have differences.

"If we work hard in these next few days we can make extraordinary progress that would benefit the people of both countries." The first US-Russian summit since 2002 will see the President tackling issues including arms control, missile defence and nuclear proliferation.

White House officials said Mr Obama was hopeful of a "reset" of relations between the two superpowers.

But his task is made trickier in that he will have to deal with a president and a prime minister.

President Medvedev holds formal power, but the prime minister who hand-picked Mr Medvedev to succeed him, former president Vladimir Putin, still has enormous influence. On the eve of his visit, Mr Obama appeared to give his backing to Mr Medvedev. In an interview with Russian opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta, he supported the president's promises to boost freedom and the rule of law. It seemed to be part of a move to signal support for Mr Medvedev over the more conservative Mr Putin.

Observers said Mr Obama's remarks fell short of an outright attempt to drive a wedge between the Russian leaders and warned that any such effort would be counter-productive, as it could push Mr Medvedev closer to Mr Putin.

The US President's comments could also raise tensions in his meetings with the two men.

Mr Obama told Novaya Gazeta: "I agree with President Medvedev when he said that freedom is better than the absence of freedom' . . . I see no reason why we cannot aspire together to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law.