US and Russia Make ‘Good Progress’ on Nuclear Arms Deal
One year on from presenting her mock "reset" button to Russia's Foreign Minister, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is visiting Russia.
Over the past year, the two countries have significantly improved their relationship, however The Washington Post comments that Clinton's two-day agenda reflects the continuing fragility of the new partnership and lingering tensions between the former Cold War foes.
Mikhail Margelov, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the upper house of the Russian parliament, said: "I think the past year has been successful," particularly, "if we keep in mind what the level of bilateral relations was when Obama came to power. It was less than zero."
BBC News reports that ahead of Clinton's visit, Under-Secretary of State William Burns said that the US and Russia "are making very good progress" on a nuclear arms reduction pact. He said: "We are getting closer," but added that he could not tell when an agreement might be reached.
In addition to negotiations on a replacement for the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Clinton plans to discuss possible new sanctions against Iran.
The New York Times notes that Clinton plans to meet President Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as leaders from the European Union and the United Nations.