Putin: Russia-U.S. future relations pinned on Obama

MOSCOW, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Moscow's expectations on future development of ties with Washington are connected with the incumbent U.S. president, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said when meeting Barack Obama for the first time on Tuesday at his residence outside Moscow.

"Our hopes for further development of Russian-American relations are linked with your name," the Interfax news agency quoted Putin as telling Obama at a Russian-style breakfast meeting.

The prime minister said he was happy to see Obama, while the U.S. president commended Putin's "extraordinary work" as president in previous years and as prime minister currently.

Obama also told Putin that Russia and the United States have an excellent opportunity to put their relations on a solid footing.

Obama, on his first visit to Russia since taking office, held talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday, resulting in several agreements including a framework document for a new strategic arms reduction treaty.

Obama said on Monday at a joint news conference with Medvedev that the Russian duo tandem was working effectively.

"My strong impression is that President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin are working very effectively together and our interest is in working together with the Russian government as a whole in order to achieve the improved bilateral relationship that I think can be accomplished," the RIA Novosti news agency quoted Obama as saying.