Obama visits Russia for summit

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Security was tight in Moscow on Monday ahead of the first visit of US President, Barack Obama, to Russia. The leaders of the two countries will meet later in the day, with each declaring they will further cut nuclear arsenals and repair a badly damaged relationship.

In Moscow, up to ten thousand police and security officers including riot-control units have been engaged in efforts to ensure the US leader's safety.

Airspace over the capital and nearby areas have been declared a no-fly zone.

Obama and his Russian counterpart Dimitry Medvedev are scheduled to hold a news conference on Monday afternoon after the leaders' scheduled four-hour meeting.

Obama's schedule also includes a meeting with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

The US president faces a major challenge in convincing Russia that he wants to use his office for the betterment of the world.

A strategic arms cut agreement, which will replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, is expected to be signed during the summit.

Meanwhile, Russia is still trying to persuade the United State to scrap its missile defence system in eastern Europe.