Embassy Events
U.S.-Russia Relations: Speech by President Obama in Moscow, Discussion on Slovak TA3
July 7, 2009
President Barack Obama in a speech at Moscow’s New Economic School on July 7 assured audiences that the United States would like to collaborate with Russia in an effort to increase global security and prosperity. America supports a strong and peaceful Russia, said Mr. Obama, and no longer sees the country as an antagonist. He thanked Russia for allowing American supplies to pass through Russian territory and for its cooperation in America’s efforts to defeat al Qaeda and its allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan. During meetings on July 6 and 7, Presidents Obama and Medvedev worked to coordinate a new treaty designed to dramatically reduce U.S. and Russian warheads and delivery systems, and affirmed the two countries’ joint commitment to halting nuclear proliferation. Both the United States and Russia have roles to play in holding other nations responsible for respecting international commitments regarding nuclear weaponry, especially North Korea and countries in the Middle East, said Mr. Obama. Deputy Public Affairs Officer Chase Beamer on July 6 gave an exclusive interview to the Slovak television news channel TA3 on President Obama’s agenda in Moscow. Appearing on the news analysis show, “Topic of the Day,” Mr. Beamer said the two Presidents discussed the possibility of Ukraine and Georgia entering NATO. But the decision, he said, does not rest unilaterally with the United Sates; it will be a top priority item in NATO deliberations. “Before these countries meet requirements set by the alliance and decide to join NATO, we assume that the doors could remain open for further membership,” he said. In addition, Mr. Beamer reiterated President Obama’s wish for increased economic relations between Russia and the United States, and expressed the possibility for further military cooperation between the two countries in Afghanistan.