Russian President Wishes Obama Happy Birthday
(CBS)
Following the pleasantries, the two men discussed the situation in Georgia and other issues. Here's the full readout from the White House:
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August 4, 2009 5:26 PM Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called President Obama this afternoon to wish him a happy birthday, according to the White House. The president turned 48 today.
Following the pleasantries, the two men discussed the situation in Georgia and other issues. Here's the full readout from the White House:
Following the pleasantries, the two men discussed the situation in Georgia and other issues. Here's the full readout from the White House:
July 7, 2009 1:07 PM 
Talk about a mixed message.
On the second day of their summit to ease tensions in U.S.-Russia relations, Presidents Obama and Medvedev posed for a photo in front of an historic instrument of war.
It was a huge cannon dating back to Russia’s Tsar Geodor in 1586. Called the Tsar Pushka (Tsar Cannon), it’s positioned on the grounds of the Kremlin and is said to be over 17 feet long and weigh 38 tons. That’s one big cannon.
There’s a dispute over whether the cannon was ever fired or is just ceremonial. Wikipedia reports the weapon was analyzed by the Dzerzhinsky Military Academy and traces of gunpowder were found – suggesting it was fired at least once. But definelty not with the enormous two ton cannonballs positioned below its muzzle on the Kremlin grounds.
The balls are wider than the 35-inch wide muzzle of the cannon can accommodate. It’s said the weapon was made to fire rounds of stone grapeshot.
The cannon photo raises the question of how Mr. Obama can return the favor when Medvedev next makes a reciprocal visit to the White House. There are no historic weapons on the White House grounds to pose beside.
Perhaps they could have their picture taken next to the Obama girls swing set outside the Oval Office.
Obama, Medvedev Find Curious Russian Photo-Op
(AP)
On the second day of their summit to ease tensions in U.S.-Russia relations, Presidents Obama and Medvedev posed for a photo in front of an historic instrument of war.
It was a huge cannon dating back to Russia’s Tsar Geodor in 1586. Called the Tsar Pushka (Tsar Cannon), it’s positioned on the grounds of the Kremlin and is said to be over 17 feet long and weigh 38 tons. That’s one big cannon.
There’s a dispute over whether the cannon was ever fired or is just ceremonial. Wikipedia reports the weapon was analyzed by the Dzerzhinsky Military Academy and traces of gunpowder were found – suggesting it was fired at least once. But definelty not with the enormous two ton cannonballs positioned below its muzzle on the Kremlin grounds.
(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
The cannon photo raises the question of how Mr. Obama can return the favor when Medvedev next makes a reciprocal visit to the White House. There are no historic weapons on the White House grounds to pose beside.
Perhaps they could have their picture taken next to the Obama girls swing set outside the Oval Office.
July 7, 2009 9:48 AM
Politics Today: A Second Stimulus?
Politics Today is CBSNews.com's inside look at the key stories driving the day in Politics, written by CBS News Political Director Steve Chaggaris:
**Day 2: President Obama in Russia...
**Palin explains herself...
**Obama adviser says a second stimulus package should be considered...
**Sanford censured by S.C. GOP...
**Franken to be sworn in today...
PRESIDENT OBAMA IN RUSSIA: "President Barack Obama, working to drastically reshape U.S. relations with a skeptical Russia, said Tuesday the two countries are not 'destined to be antagonists," reports the Associated Press' Ben Feller.
"'The pursuit of power is no longer a zero-sum game,' Obama said, speaking in the Russian capital to graduates of the New Economic School but also hoping to reach the whole nation. 'Progress must be shared.' Obama used his speech to further define his view of the United States' place in the world and, specifically, to argue that his country shares compelling interests with Russia. 'Let me be clear: America wants a strong, peaceful and prosperous Russia,' he declared.
"Obama's upbeat comments came on the second day of his summit in Russia, where polls show people are wary of the United States and taking a skeptical measure of Obama himself. Earlier Tuesday, Obama held private breakfast talks with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at Putin's country home outside Moscow. The atmosphere seemed cordial, and both voiced hope for improved relations between Washington and Moscow."
Mr. Obama sat down with CBS News' Chip Reid in Moscow this morning and described Putin as "smart, tough, shrewd… he is unsentimental."
**Day 2: President Obama in Russia...
**Palin explains herself...
**Obama adviser says a second stimulus package should be considered...
**Sanford censured by S.C. GOP...
**Franken to be sworn in today...
(AP )
"'The pursuit of power is no longer a zero-sum game,' Obama said, speaking in the Russian capital to graduates of the New Economic School but also hoping to reach the whole nation. 'Progress must be shared.' Obama used his speech to further define his view of the United States' place in the world and, specifically, to argue that his country shares compelling interests with Russia. 'Let me be clear: America wants a strong, peaceful and prosperous Russia,' he declared.
"Obama's upbeat comments came on the second day of his summit in Russia, where polls show people are wary of the United States and taking a skeptical measure of Obama himself. Earlier Tuesday, Obama held private breakfast talks with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at Putin's country home outside Moscow. The atmosphere seemed cordial, and both voiced hope for improved relations between Washington and Moscow."
Mr. Obama sat down with CBS News' Chip Reid in Moscow this morning and described Putin as "smart, tough, shrewd… he is unsentimental."
July 7, 2009 7:50 AM
Obama: Putin Is Smart, Tough, Unsentimental
Updated 8:51 a.m. ET
President Obama met Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for two hours this morning in Moscow and he told CBS News chief White House correspondent Chip Reid how he found him a few hours later.
"He is smart, tough, shrewd... he is unsentimental," Mr. Obama said.
"He thinks in terms of what's good for Russia and will pursue interests aggressively, but he also wants to approach U.S.-Russian relations in a pragmatic way," Mr. Obama said.
Mr. Obama's remarks about Putin are being closely watched and compared to those made by former President George W. Bush after he first met with Putin as president in 2001, where he famously said that he trusted him by looking him in the eye and sensing his "soul."
"I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straight forward and trustworthy and we had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul," Mr. Bush said then.
Mr. Obama said today that the two countries have common interests on terrorism and potential commercial ties. He also said he found nothing inconsistent between Putin and Russian President Medvedev.
"We disagree on spheres on influence," the president added. "If a country on Russia's border wants to join NATO it's their prerogative."
A White House official told the Associated Press that Mr. Obama and Putin "formed the basis of a good relation" during their meeting. "I would say he's very convinced that the prime minister is a man of today and he's got his eyes firmly on the future," the official told the AP.
Putin, for his part, said the meeting with Mr. Obama went "very well," reports the AP, saying it was "substantive, informative and collaborative" and that they had "many points in common."
You can watch the video above, where the president also talks about efforts to keep Iran and North Korea from having nuclear weapons.
Read more about the meeting between Obama and Putin
More from the interview: Obama Compares Jackson to Elvis, Lennon
President Obama met Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for two hours this morning in Moscow and he told CBS News chief White House correspondent Chip Reid how he found him a few hours later.
"He is smart, tough, shrewd... he is unsentimental," Mr. Obama said.
"He thinks in terms of what's good for Russia and will pursue interests aggressively, but he also wants to approach U.S.-Russian relations in a pragmatic way," Mr. Obama said.
Mr. Obama's remarks about Putin are being closely watched and compared to those made by former President George W. Bush after he first met with Putin as president in 2001, where he famously said that he trusted him by looking him in the eye and sensing his "soul."
"I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straight forward and trustworthy and we had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul," Mr. Bush said then.
Mr. Obama said today that the two countries have common interests on terrorism and potential commercial ties. He also said he found nothing inconsistent between Putin and Russian President Medvedev.
"We disagree on spheres on influence," the president added. "If a country on Russia's border wants to join NATO it's their prerogative."
A White House official told the Associated Press that Mr. Obama and Putin "formed the basis of a good relation" during their meeting. "I would say he's very convinced that the prime minister is a man of today and he's got his eyes firmly on the future," the official told the AP.
Putin, for his part, said the meeting with Mr. Obama went "very well," reports the AP, saying it was "substantive, informative and collaborative" and that they had "many points in common."
You can watch the video above, where the president also talks about efforts to keep Iran and North Korea from having nuclear weapons.
Read more about the meeting between Obama and Putin
More from the interview: Obama Compares Jackson to Elvis, Lennon
July 7, 2009 5:04 AM President Obama today delivered a speech at the New Economic School on his vision for the U.S.-Russia relationship. Here are some key quotes from the address:
"Your lifetime coincides with this era of transition. But think about the fundamental questions asked when this school was founded. What kind of future is Russia going to have? What kind of future are Russia and America going to have together? What world order will replace the Cold War? Those questions still do not have clear answers, and so now they must be answered by you – by your generation in Russia, America, and around the world. You get to decide. And while I cannot answer these questions for you, I can speak plainly about the future that America seeks. To begin with, let me be clear: America wants a strong, peaceful, and prosperous Russia."
"In 2009, a great power does not show strength by dominating or demonizing other countries. The days when empires could treat sovereign states as pieces on a chess board are over… The pursuit of power is no longer a zero-sum game – progress must be shared."
"America has an interest in reversing the spread of nuclear weapons and preventing their use. In the last century, generations of Americans and Russians inherited the power to destroy nations, and the understanding that using that power would bring about their own destruction. In 2009, our inheritance is different."
"There is extraordinary potential for increased cooperation between Americans and Russians. We can pursue trade that is free and fair and integrated with the wider world. We can boost investment that creates jobs in both our countries. We can forge partnerships on energy that tap not only traditional resources, but the new sources of energy that will drive growth and combat climate change. All of that, Americans and Russians can do together."
Text: Obama's Speech in Russia
(AP )
"Your lifetime coincides with this era of transition. But think about the fundamental questions asked when this school was founded. What kind of future is Russia going to have? What kind of future are Russia and America going to have together? What world order will replace the Cold War? Those questions still do not have clear answers, and so now they must be answered by you – by your generation in Russia, America, and around the world. You get to decide. And while I cannot answer these questions for you, I can speak plainly about the future that America seeks. To begin with, let me be clear: America wants a strong, peaceful, and prosperous Russia."
"In 2009, a great power does not show strength by dominating or demonizing other countries. The days when empires could treat sovereign states as pieces on a chess board are over… The pursuit of power is no longer a zero-sum game – progress must be shared."
"America has an interest in reversing the spread of nuclear weapons and preventing their use. In the last century, generations of Americans and Russians inherited the power to destroy nations, and the understanding that using that power would bring about their own destruction. In 2009, our inheritance is different."
"There is extraordinary potential for increased cooperation between Americans and Russians. We can pursue trade that is free and fair and integrated with the wider world. We can boost investment that creates jobs in both our countries. We can forge partnerships on energy that tap not only traditional resources, but the new sources of energy that will drive growth and combat climate change. All of that, Americans and Russians can do together."
July 7, 2009 3:00 AM
President Obama's Schedule Today
President Obama continues his trip in Moscow today. In the morning, he meets with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Mr. Obama will then meet with former President Mikhail Gorbachev at Gostinny Dvor. He will then deliver the commencement address at the ceremonies for the 2009 graduating class of the New Economic School at Gostinny Dvor.
In the afternoon, Mr. Obama will hold a one-on-one meeting with President Medvedev at the Kremlin. The president and the first lady will then attend a lunch reception hosted by Medvedev.
The president and Medvedev will then meet with the Parallel Business Summit at the Manezh Exhibition Hall. Mr. Obama will then meet with the Parallel Civil Society Summit at the Metropol Hotel. Lastly, he will then meet with Russian opposition leaders at the Ritz Carlton.
Here's the full schedule from the White House (all times Eastern):
1:00 AM: President Obama meets with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and has a working breakfast
3:00 AM: President Obama meets with former President Mikhail Gorbachev
3:15 AM: President Obama delivers commencement address at ceremonies for the 2009 graduating class of the New Economic School
5:40 AM: President Obama meets one-on-one with President Medvedev
6:10 AM: President Obama and Michelle Obama attend lunch reception hosted by President Medvedev
7:25 AM: President Obama and President Medvedev meet with Parallel Business Summit
8:20 AM: President Obama meets with the Parallel Civil Society Summit
9:35 AM: President Obama meets with Russian opposition leaders
Mr. Obama will then meet with former President Mikhail Gorbachev at Gostinny Dvor. He will then deliver the commencement address at the ceremonies for the 2009 graduating class of the New Economic School at Gostinny Dvor.
In the afternoon, Mr. Obama will hold a one-on-one meeting with President Medvedev at the Kremlin. The president and the first lady will then attend a lunch reception hosted by Medvedev.
The president and Medvedev will then meet with the Parallel Business Summit at the Manezh Exhibition Hall. Mr. Obama will then meet with the Parallel Civil Society Summit at the Metropol Hotel. Lastly, he will then meet with Russian opposition leaders at the Ritz Carlton.
Here's the full schedule from the White House (all times Eastern):
1:00 AM: President Obama meets with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and has a working breakfast
3:00 AM: President Obama meets with former President Mikhail Gorbachev
3:15 AM: President Obama delivers commencement address at ceremonies for the 2009 graduating class of the New Economic School
5:40 AM: President Obama meets one-on-one with President Medvedev
6:10 AM: President Obama and Michelle Obama attend lunch reception hosted by President Medvedev
7:25 AM: President Obama and President Medvedev meet with Parallel Business Summit
8:20 AM: President Obama meets with the Parallel Civil Society Summit
9:35 AM: President Obama meets with Russian opposition leaders
July 6, 2009 6:03 PM 
Facing a significant "backlog of problems" on the U.S.-Russian agenda, Presidents Obama and Medvedev were determined that their summit produce some worthwhile agreements.
"We resolved to reset U.S.-Russian relations, so that we can cooperate more effectively in areas of common interest," said Mr. Obama as he and Medvedev formally announced the deals their talks were designed to finalize:
** A commitment to negotiate by year’s end a further reduction in the numbers of nuclear warheads in the U.S. and Russian arsenals to between 1,500 and 1,675. The same deal would also limit the number of delivery vehicles to between 500 and 1,100.
** A joint statement to pursue further cooperation in efforts to stem the proliferation of ballistic missiles, which can be used as strategic delivery vehicles for nuclear weapons.
U.S.-Russia Relations Improved, but Not Perfect
(CBS)
"We resolved to reset U.S.-Russian relations, so that we can cooperate more effectively in areas of common interest," said Mr. Obama as he and Medvedev formally announced the deals their talks were designed to finalize:
** A commitment to negotiate by year’s end a further reduction in the numbers of nuclear warheads in the U.S. and Russian arsenals to between 1,500 and 1,675. The same deal would also limit the number of delivery vehicles to between 500 and 1,100.
** A joint statement to pursue further cooperation in efforts to stem the proliferation of ballistic missiles, which can be used as strategic delivery vehicles for nuclear weapons.
July 6, 2009 1:07 PM 
President Obama is in Moscow today for a two-day summit with top Russian officials and the White House has released a transcript of an interview between the President and Novoya Gazeta – a Russian newspaper known for investigative work in politics.
The interview, published today, discussed the goals of the trip and touched upon the cause of the current economical crisis.
Mr. Obama said the U.S. is not responsible for the world's economic difficulties, contrary to the general opinion of the Russian public.
"We all are experiencing a severe economic crisis that is affecting the lives of many people in countries around the world," Mr. Obama said . "We need to spend less time thinking about who is to blame and more time working together to do what needs to be done to get all of our economies moving in the right direction."
Mr. Obama also discussed his financial regulation reform and the role it plays in the U.S. financial system.
"The plans include three important components," Mr. Obama said. "First, we're proposing a set of reforms to require regulators to look not only at the safety and soundness of individual institutions, but also -- for the first time -- at the stability of the financial system as a whole. Second, we're proposing a new and powerful agency charged with just one job: looking out for ordinary consumers. Third, we're proposing a series of changes designed to promote free and fair markets by closing gaps and overlaps in our regulatory system -- including gaps that exist not just within but between nations."
Obama Reaches Out to Russian Media
(CBS)
The interview, published today, discussed the goals of the trip and touched upon the cause of the current economical crisis.
Mr. Obama said the U.S. is not responsible for the world's economic difficulties, contrary to the general opinion of the Russian public.
"We all are experiencing a severe economic crisis that is affecting the lives of many people in countries around the world," Mr. Obama said . "We need to spend less time thinking about who is to blame and more time working together to do what needs to be done to get all of our economies moving in the right direction."
Mr. Obama also discussed his financial regulation reform and the role it plays in the U.S. financial system.
"The plans include three important components," Mr. Obama said. "First, we're proposing a set of reforms to require regulators to look not only at the safety and soundness of individual institutions, but also -- for the first time -- at the stability of the financial system as a whole. Second, we're proposing a new and powerful agency charged with just one job: looking out for ordinary consumers. Third, we're proposing a series of changes designed to promote free and fair markets by closing gaps and overlaps in our regulatory system -- including gaps that exist not just within but between nations."
July 6, 2009 12:03 PM 
President Obama and Russian Presdient Dmitry Medvedev on Monday announced a series of agreements between their two countries, including new commitments to work together in Afghanistan.
The two presidents signed a joint statement on cooperation that outlines concrete areas in which the United States and Russia will work together to attempt to stabilize and secure Afghanistan. During President Obama's trip to Moscow, the two leaders also oversaw a formalized agreement to allow the United States to transport military personnel and equipment across Russia to Afghanistan, as well as a new framework for resuming military-to-military cooperation.
"This provides a framkework for improved cooperation... so we can better address the threats we face from terrorism," Mr. Obama said on Monday in a joint press conference with Medvedev from Moscow.
In their joint statement on Afghanistan, Mr. Obama and Medvedev express their commitment to fighting terrorism, armed extremism and illegal drug trafficking in Afghanistan, and to helping the Afghan government reach its socioeconomic objectives like raising living standards and ensuring security. The two presidents state they will make use of the Russian-U.S. Counter-Terrorism Working Group to achieve its objectives.
Obama, Medvedev Announce New Afghan Cooperation
(AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
The two presidents signed a joint statement on cooperation that outlines concrete areas in which the United States and Russia will work together to attempt to stabilize and secure Afghanistan. During President Obama's trip to Moscow, the two leaders also oversaw a formalized agreement to allow the United States to transport military personnel and equipment across Russia to Afghanistan, as well as a new framework for resuming military-to-military cooperation.
"This provides a framkework for improved cooperation... so we can better address the threats we face from terrorism," Mr. Obama said on Monday in a joint press conference with Medvedev from Moscow.
In their joint statement on Afghanistan, Mr. Obama and Medvedev express their commitment to fighting terrorism, armed extremism and illegal drug trafficking in Afghanistan, and to helping the Afghan government reach its socioeconomic objectives like raising living standards and ensuring security. The two presidents state they will make use of the Russian-U.S. Counter-Terrorism Working Group to achieve its objectives.
July 6, 2009 9:20 AM
Politics Today: Obama in Russia, Palin News Continues
Politics Today is CBSNews.com's inside look at the key stories driving the day in Politics, written by CBS News Political Director Steve Chaggaris:
**President Obama's visit to Russia...
**Latest on Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska...
**Congress returns, health care dominates agenda...
**Sen.-elect Al Franken, D-Minn., to be sworn-in tomorrow...
PRESIDENT OBAMA IN RUSSIA: President Obama kicked off two days of meetings with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today where they're expected to focus on nuclear arms control, Afghanistan, and the environment.
"Obama's distinctive Air Force One jetliner touched down with drizzly gray skies blanketing Moscow," reports the Associated Press' Ben Feller. "He continued down a formal reception line on the airport tarmac, introducing his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters to the Russian officials waiting to greet them. The entourage then headed directly to a wreath-laying ceremony at Russia's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, brilliant sun breaking over the city's center through the days of clouds as they drove in. The president walked slowly behind three high-stepping Russian soldiers, then straightened the wreath's ribbon where they placed it in front of the eternal flame and stood alone briefly.
"From there, Obama was meeting at the Kremlin with President Dmitry Medvedev, a full-scale, two-day U.S.-Russia summit that is the first of its kind since the early part of the George W. Bush presidency."
In a brief photo op during a break in their meeting, CBS News' Jeff Goldman reports that Medvedev told reporters that he hopes he and President Obama can tackle the problems of security and the economy successfully.
Mr. Obama thanked Medvedev for the "hospitality" and added he is "confident" that they can build on their April meeting in London and pointed out that they have "more in common than they have differences."
**President Obama's visit to Russia...
**Latest on Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska...
**Congress returns, health care dominates agenda...
**Sen.-elect Al Franken, D-Minn., to be sworn-in tomorrow...
(AP Photo)
"Obama's distinctive Air Force One jetliner touched down with drizzly gray skies blanketing Moscow," reports the Associated Press' Ben Feller. "He continued down a formal reception line on the airport tarmac, introducing his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters to the Russian officials waiting to greet them. The entourage then headed directly to a wreath-laying ceremony at Russia's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, brilliant sun breaking over the city's center through the days of clouds as they drove in. The president walked slowly behind three high-stepping Russian soldiers, then straightened the wreath's ribbon where they placed it in front of the eternal flame and stood alone briefly.
"From there, Obama was meeting at the Kremlin with President Dmitry Medvedev, a full-scale, two-day U.S.-Russia summit that is the first of its kind since the early part of the George W. Bush presidency."
In a brief photo op during a break in their meeting, CBS News' Jeff Goldman reports that Medvedev told reporters that he hopes he and President Obama can tackle the problems of security and the economy successfully.
Mr. Obama thanked Medvedev for the "hospitality" and added he is "confident" that they can build on their April meeting in London and pointed out that they have "more in common than they have differences."
Mike Huckabee on GOP "rock stars," 2012, health care reform and more.
