Obama: US relations with Russia can improve

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-08-2009 20:10

US President, Barack Obama, says he believes the United States and Russia can improve their relationship over nuclear weapons and other issues. Obama was speaking after meeting Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, at the White House.

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and Foreign Minister of  Russia Sergey Lavrov laugh as they greet reporters after  their meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington,  May 7, 2009.REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Lavrov's talks with Obama come ahead of Obama's planned visit to Moscow in July.

Obama says the two countries have the opportunity to reset their ties in a range of areas.

Barack Obama said, "We have an excellent opportunity to reset the relationship between the United States and Russia on a whole host of issues from nuclear weapons and nuclear proliferation, the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, how we approach Iran, how we approach the Middle East, commercial ties between the two countries, and how we address the financial crisis."