PRINCE GEORGE: President Barack Obama Friday called Russia's president-elect Vladimir Putin to congratulate him on his election win, despite earlier US concern over reported vote irregularities.
The call inaugurated a relationship that will decide the fate of "reset" US relations with the Kremlin which the White House sees as a key foreign policy achievement headed into Obama's reelection campaign.
The US president called the once and future Russian leader from Air Force One "to congratulate him on his recent victory in the Russian presidential election," a White House statement said.
Obama "highlighted achievements in US-Russia relations over the past three years with President (Dmitry) Medvedev, including cooperation on Afghanistan, the conclusion and ratification of the START agreement, Russia's recent invitation to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and cooperation on Iran."
Obama and Putin "agreed that the successful reset in relations should be built upon during the coming years" and the US leader said that he looked forward to hosting Putin at the G8 Summit in May at Camp David. (AFP)
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