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Obama urges shift in Russia ties Obama urges shift in Russia ties
(30 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has urged Russia to turn from the past, emphasising the common goals the US shares with its former Cold War rival.US President Barack Obama has urged Russia to turn from the past, emphasising the common goals the US shares with its former Cold War rival.
He told young graduates in Moscow they were the "last generation" to be born in a "divided world".He told young graduates in Moscow they were the "last generation" to be born in a "divided world".
Mr Obama sought to reassure the country that the US sought a "strong, peaceful and prosperous" Russia.Mr Obama sought to reassure the country that the US sought a "strong, peaceful and prosperous" Russia.
The speech comes on the second day of Mr Obama's visit to Moscow and followed his first meeting with Vladimir Putin.The speech comes on the second day of Mr Obama's visit to Moscow and followed his first meeting with Vladimir Putin.
During the breakfast talks he told the former president turned prime minister that he had done "extraordinary work" leading Russia.During the breakfast talks he told the former president turned prime minister that he had done "extraordinary work" leading Russia.
'United' 'Fundamental change'
In his speech, Mr Obama said both Russia and the US had shared common goals in, for example, preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.In his speech, Mr Obama said both Russia and the US had shared common goals in, for example, preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.
It is difficult to forge a lasting partnership between former adversaries, and to change habits that have been ingrained in our governments for decades US President Barack Obama
"It is not for me to define Russia's national interests, but I can tell you about America's, and I believe that you will see we share common ground," he told the audience at the New Economic School in Moscow."It is not for me to define Russia's national interests, but I can tell you about America's, and I believe that you will see we share common ground," he told the audience at the New Economic School in Moscow.
He added: "Partnership will be stronger if Russia occupies its rightful place as a great power."
Mr Obama said that neither the US nor Russia would benefit from a nuclear arms race in East Asia or the Middle East.Mr Obama said that neither the US nor Russia would benefit from a nuclear arms race in East Asia or the Middle East.
"That is why we should be united in opposing North Korea's efforts to become a nuclear power, and preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon," he said."That is why we should be united in opposing North Korea's efforts to become a nuclear power, and preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon," he said.
Mr Obama called on Russia to accept a "fundamental change", without which, he suggested the next two decades would inevitably bring about the further spread of nuclear weapons.
"That is why America is committed to stopping nuclear proliferation, and ultimately seeking a world without nuclear weapons," he said.
He suggested that Russia and the US could also co-operate in areas including energy and on the challenges of defeating extremism.
But he urged the fellow nuclear power to respect international borders, human rights and democratic principles.
Mr Obama said: "Partnership will be stronger if Russia occupies its rightful place as a great power."
'Start' talks
On Monday, after meeting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, he signed eight separate agreements with Russia.On Monday, after meeting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, he signed eight separate agreements with Russia.
These, he said: "will substantially reduce our warheads and delivery systems". These, he said during the speech would "substantially reduce our warheads and delivery systems".
Among the deals was a pact to negotiate a new arms control treaty to replace the 1991 Start I pact which expires in December.Among the deals was a pact to negotiate a new arms control treaty to replace the 1991 Start I pact which expires in December.
A new agreement could see the two countries reducing their nuclear warheads by up to a third, to below 1,700 each within seven years of the treaty's signing.A new agreement could see the two countries reducing their nuclear warheads by up to a third, to below 1,700 each within seven years of the treaty's signing.