U.S.-Russia Summit "Quite Likely" In Works
A White House official says it is "quite likely" that the two leaders will set a date for a meeting in Moscow. The official says Wednesday's meeting is all about gauging "dynamics" between the two men.
In their London talks, which were scheduled Wednesday after Mr. Obama's meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the two leaders are expected to begin discussing prospects for a new nuclear arms treaty. One official describes it as "restarting START" (Strategic Arms Reduction talks).
The Associated Press also reported Wednesday that the White House and Moscow had agreed to re-open talks on nuclear disarmament.
In his news conference with Brown, Mr. Obama said the threat of nulcear weapons getting into the wrong hands "continues to be the greatest threat against humanity."
President Obama has spoken of "a reset of the relationship with Russia."
Wednesday's meeting is an unusual moment for both leaders to size each other up at the personal and political levels. Former President George W. Bush famously said he could sense the soul of Medvedev's predecessor, Vladimir Putin.
The Obama-Medvedev relationship is expected to be more pragmatic.
The White House dismissed criticism from some conservatives that the president could make concessions to the Russians. Spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters, "Nobody believes that a change in our relationship means giving anybody all that they want."
Writing in the Washington Post, Medvedev said the U.S. and Russia should rebuild ties because neither can afford "drift and indifference."
The relationship is complicated by mutual distrust and differences over U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe. Washington and Moscow are also at odds over dealings with Iran.
