Russia welcomes better ties with US

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 02-09-2009 13:31

Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov says Russia welcomes the United States' signal for improving bilateral relations, and is ready to cooperate with Washington in all areas.

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) meets Russia's deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov during the 45th Conference on Security Policy in Munich February 8, 2009. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

Ivanov made the comments in response to a speech by US vice president Joe Biden. At Sunday's meeting with Ivanov, the first contact between top officials from the two sides since Obama took office, Biden expressed the US' intention to improve bilateral ties.

Joe Biden, US Vice President, said, "The last few years have seen a dangerous drift in relations between Russia and members of our alliance. It's time, to paraphrase President Obama, it's time to press the re-set button."

Ivanov said the US offer is very positive, but added the US will continue to have differences with Moscow, and that improvement of relations also depends on the details of US' actions.

Sergei Ivanov, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister, said, "In any case, and I stress, the US administration sent a very strong signal, which was heard, the signal that they are ready to resume US-Russian dialogue, frankly and honestly, on all issues. It does not mean that we should agree on each and every issue, that is clear to both parties."

Analysts say despite the promises of improved bilateral ties, it seems neither of the two sides are likely to make any concessions on key issues such as disarmament, NATO's eastward enlargement and Washington's plan to deploy a missile defense system in eastern Europe.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei