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 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."
March 3, 2009 9:13 AM 
An administration official tells CBS News there are "expectations" that President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, at left, will meet in London next month to discuss the Iranian missile threat and other issues.
The meeting is expected to take place on the sidelines of the planned "G-20" economic summit. The official confirms Mr. Obama has written to Medvedev indicating U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Eastern Europe could, in the words of the official "be affected" if Russia works with the U.S. to prevent Iran from building long range missiles.
The official says the essence of the letter is, "If you cooperate with us in helping to deal with the Iranian threat...if the threat is no longer there, it will affect the missile defense project” planned for Poland and the Czech Republic.
Obama, Medvedev Expected To Meet Next Month
(AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
The meeting is expected to take place on the sidelines of the planned "G-20" economic summit. The official confirms Mr. Obama has written to Medvedev indicating U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Eastern Europe could, in the words of the official "be affected" if Russia works with the U.S. to prevent Iran from building long range missiles.
The official says the essence of the letter is, "If you cooperate with us in helping to deal with the Iranian threat...if the threat is no longer there, it will affect the missile defense project” planned for Poland and the Czech Republic.
Author Thomas Friedman on Obama's Afghanistan plan and the war on terror.
