Obama, Medvedev sign agreements on nukes

MOSCOW, July 6 (UPI) -- Language on nuclear arms reduction and a controversial defense system in Europe was reached Monday by U.S. and Russian leaders in Moscow.

U.S President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev both said the signed agreements and memoranda moved U.S.-Russian relations into the 21st century.

First-day discussions between Medvedev and Obama "were very open and sincere," the Russian president said during a joint news conference with Obama.

The joint news followed the signing of documents that, among other things, allows U.S. military equipment and forces to travel across Russian territory to Afghanistan. They also provide commitments to reduce and limit strategic arms in the two countries and around the world. Documents also were signed concerning cooperation in a number of different fields, including the environment, education, space exploration and science.

"President Medvedev and I are committed to leaving behind the suspicion and the rivalry of the past, so that we can advance the interests that we hold in common," Obama said. "Today, we've made meaningful progress in demonstrating through deeds and words what a more constructive U.S.-Russian relationship can look like in the 21st century."

If Russia and the United States want to limit nuclear arms proliferation, the two countries must lead by example, agreeing to reduce their arsenals by up to a third, both presidents said.

The agreement is seen as vital to discussions on an accord to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expires in December.

Concerning the ability of the United States to transport lethal equipment across Russia, Obama said, "This is a substantial contribution by Russia to our international effort, and it will save the United States time and resources in giving our troops the support that they need."

Medvedev said he appreciated Obama's administration undertaking a review of a controversial European missile defense system that Moscow say affects Russia's national security.

"(We) talked about the linkage between offensive and defensive weapons. And this already constitutes a step forward," Medvedev said. "Sometime ago, on this question, we had all only differences. Now this linkage is being stated, and this opens up the opportunity of bringing positions closer to each other."

Obama said "any discussion" of nuclear strategy, security, has to include defensive and offensive capabilities.

"I believe that over time we will end up seeing that the U.S.-Russian positions on these issues can be reconciled," Obama said.