Putin, Obama comment on Russian-US relations

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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama have expressed their views on Russia-US relations ahead of Obama's first visit to Moscow. Putin wants the US to refrain from stationing missile defense facilities in central Europe while Obama is pressing for a cut in nuclear arms to improve relations.

Vladimir Putin, Russian Prime Minister

In an interview with the press on Friday, Putin expressed strong objections to the US missile defense plan and NATO's eastward expansion. That's despite Washington's assurances that such moves are NOT directed against Russia. Putin says relations with the United States will move forward if the US refrains from provocative actions.

Vladimir Putin, Russian Prime Minister said "If we see that our American partners abstain from deploying missile defense facilities in Europe, or, for example, review their approach to expanding military-political blocs, or abandon bloc-like thinking this would be a large step forward."