U.S., Russia Unveil Plan for Nuclear Cuts at Summit

JIM LEHRER:

President Obama moved to reset U.S. relations with Russia today. He journeyed to Moscow to push for progress on nuclear weapons and missile defense.

Judy Woodruff has our lead story report.

JUDY WOODRUFF:

The president's visit to Moscow marked the first U.S.- Russia summit in seven years. He began by laying a wreath at Russia's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then, it was on to the Kremlin to meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The pair emerged later to report they're trying for a new era of goodwill after recent years of rocky relations.

U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:

The president and I agreed that the relationship between Russia and the United States has suffered from a sense of drift. We resolved to reset U.S.-Russian relations so that we can cooperate more effectively in areas of common interest.

DMITRY MEDVEDEV, president of Russia (through translator): I view them as a first, but very important step in the process of improving full-scale cooperation between our two countries, which should go to the benefit of both states.

JUDY WOODRUFF:

To that end, the leaders announced a joint understanding for a follow-on treaty to START, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. It's due to expire this December.

The new goal is to cut strategic warheads to 1,500 to 1,675 on each side from the current maximum of 2,200. The two nations also committed to cutting delivery systems to 500 to 1,100 a side. Right now, the limit is 1,600.

President Medvedev said it is also important to work together on preventing other countries from gaining nuclear weapons.

DMITRY MEDVEDEV (through translator):

There are regions around the world where the presence of nuclear arms would create huge problems, and these are areas where we should concentrate our efforts together with our American partners.

JUDY WOODRUFF:

Medvedev did not directly name Iran, but Mr. Obama did when it came turn for his response.