Obama to deal with Russia as 'equal'

MOSCOW, July 5 (UPI) -- The United States wants to revitalize its relationship with Russia and deal with the country as an equal, U.S. President Barack Obama says.

Obama, in an interview given last week to Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency and to be shown on Russian television, said one of his goals for Monday's meeting with Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow was to establish mutual respect as a prerequisite for reducing stockpiles of nuclear weapons.

"The main thing that I want to communicate to Russian leadership and the Russian people is America's respect for Russia, that we want to deal as equals," Obama told the news agency. "We are both nuclear superpowers; with that comes special responsibilities ... and we have to handle those responsibilities in a way that encourages peace."

Obama said he's seeking to lay the groundwork for a new nuclear arms reduction agreement to replace the expiring START treaty.

"If we can get the framework during this summit, then we will be able to advance a treaty by the end of December," Obama said, adding, "For us to send a strong signal that we want to reduce our stockpiles I think would help us internationally."