Obama, Putin call for U.S.-Russia constructive cooperation as tool to overcome Cold War mentality

(Interfax – June 18, 2013) Constructive cooperation between the United States and Russia will allow both countries to overcome the Cold War mentality, U.S. President Barack Obama said.

The U.S. and Russia agreed to continue cooperation that started with the Nunn-Lugar program, Obama told a news conference in the wake of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Lough Erne.

The issue is about joint resolution of certain issues, he said. This is a good example of our relations being constructive and based on cooperation, Obama said. They can really allow the two countries distance from the Cold War mentality and start closer cooperation that would lead to security and prosperity not only in the U.S. and Russia but also all over the world, he added.

Likewise, Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks that Russia and the United States are capable to move forward on most sensitive issues for both countries.

“We spoke in detail about strategic security between the two countries and the world in general. I think that we have opportunities to move forward in the most sensitive areas,” Putin said.

The talks with Obama touched on “problem points,” Putin said.

In turn, Obama noted that particular responsibility lie on the U.S. and Russia as nuclear superpowers.

The U.S. and Russia should strive to reduce tensions and continue the work that they started when signed the new START treaty, Obama said, adding that the two countries should also guarantee nuclear security and prevent the nuclear arms proliferation.

At the same time, Russia and the United States have decided to launch a new interaction mechanism in the economic sphere.

“We started [the talks] with the economy. We talked in detail and decided to launch a new cooperation mechanism in this sphere, including at the level of the Russian prime minister and the U.S. vice president,” Putin said.

In addition, the United States is ready to cooperate with Russia on ensuring security at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, U.S. President Barack Obama said.

As to fight against terrorism the two presidents discussed the need to strengthen cooperation, including on the Olympic Games, Obama said. Fight against terrorism is of particular importance ahead of this sport event, he added.