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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. |
'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. |
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 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. |