Obama, planning July visit to Moscow, says US relations with Russia can improve

Obama: US relations with Russia can improve

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he thinks the United States and Russia can improve their relationship concerning nuclear weapons and several other issues.

Obama met at the White House Thursday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Lavrov’s talks with Obama and other U.S. officials come ahead of Obama’s planned visit to Moscow in July.

Obama told reporters after meeting with Lavrov the two countries have an excellent opportunity to improve relations “on a whole host of issues.”

He said the issues include nuclear proliferation, the situations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, conflicts in Iraq and the Middle East, and the worldwide economy.