Russia's Medvedev calls for talks with Obama

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called for talks with Barack Obama as soon as possible after the US president-elect takes the oath of office. On his first visit to the United States since becoming Russia's president in May, Medvedev reached out to the incoming US administration. He said Saturday there is a lack of trust between Russia and the United States, but he hopes this will change when Obama becomes president January 20. Medvedev said it was "in our power" for Russian-American relations to be "truly a partnership." He said it is not particularly important what issue he and Obama choose to discuss at their first meeting. "The main thing is that the meeting takes place and that it takes place quickly," said Medvedev, who was in Washington for the global financial summit. But he suggested that US plans to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe would be a good place to start.