Russian official: Biden's words 'very positive'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/WORLD/europe/02/07/biden.germany/art.biden.gi.jpg caption="Vice President Biden is in Munich at a security conference."]
(CNN) - A top Russian official Sunday labeled as "very positive" remarks by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on the Obama administration's stance on major nuclear issues and relations with Russia.
Biden spoke Saturday at a security conference in Munich, Germany. In outlining the new American administration's foreign policy, he told delegates that while the United States will remain firm in defending against nuclear threats, Washington aims to work with Moscow.
Relations became tense between Russia and the United States over a proposed U.S. missile-defense shield with components in in eastern Europe.
In his speech, Biden said, "We will continue to develop missile defenses to counter a growing Iranian capability, provided the technology is proven to work and cost-effective."
But he added, "We will do so in consultation with our NATO allies and Russia."
It was Biden's first major speech as vice-president.
Deputy Russian Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who appeared with Biden for photographers before the two met privately Sunday in Munich, said he found Biden's remarks "very positive - restarting the button" on nuclear issues.
Also Sunday, Biden met privately with Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili.
Asked before the meeting as he appeared with Saakashvili about whether he favors Georgia eventually joining NATO, Biden responded, "I'm in favor of Georgia's continued independence and autonomy. That (NATO membership) is a decision for Georgia to make." Russia invaded the former Soviet republic last August over separatist regions of Georgia which are supported by Moscow.
More than 300 delegates from around the world attended the security conference, the most recent in a series of annual global forums on security policy that began 45 years ago.
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We should be developing this system WITH Russia just like we've cooperated on space missions. We both need to protect ourselves against rouue states.
You go, Joe!!! We're baaaaack!
Russians are not to be trusted. I miss Bush already. He was a bully. No f%@#ing around with him.
Do not trust Russians. They can't wait for USA to fail. They can't wait
I am so proud of our new administration. Joe Biden, you are the best.
World leaders aren't stupid- they know Biden is a good man and a man of his word.
He obviously has the word of the administration on this, unlike Cheney- who said what he wanted to get what he wanted,
Joe is real good with words, he is always having to apologize for what he says. I am sure the old communists were glad to hear what the Obama administration will do. They will think they won the cold war and it is looking like they did.
What's the point of these posts. It seems the right wingers will ALWAYS attack regardless of any idea, if it came from Democrats or Obama, it is bad. I would hope that at least those in power will work together to make things beeter.
Some of the posters (Mark in B'ham, Mike in MS and others) in this blog are simply unbelievable. It's either the 'with us or against us' foreign policy or we are all toast. Grow up sour grapes.
Not only Russia (whose government cannot be really trusted but that's their leaders so those are the ones the USA have to deal with), but China and India are powers that are arising both politically and militarly, there's Iran and North Korea and the Al Qaeda (and its worshipers), or to put it simple, there's a lot of BIG ISSUES for the USA to handle in the World, besides the current economic crisis.
To think that because the new guys in charge just made clear that they WON'T follow the past eight years policies the country is doomed to be hit by Nukes, that the new guys are going to open the USA to foreign attcks due to they (unproved) sheer incompetence...
Sour grapes.
Hey Joe, what exactly is "cost-effective" when it comes to protecting our nation. We are not here trying to turn a profit, and pay dividends to our stock holders.
How about an administration that is actually interested in the safety of the American people? Now that is CHANGE. Maybe this will keep Russia from pointing the missles at our country as they were threatening to do under the shrub, who of course, he is the moron that claime to have looked into the eyes of Putin and saw "KGB". How nice to have a realistist in power and not a soul reading physic!
Talking with the Russians will maybe avoid another Cold War which is exactly where the last administration was taking the country.
Of course, the repubs are the party that only knows and advocates war to resolve any differences.
Its called reason and rational thinking. Unlike the bullheaded arrogant previous administration who though bullying the world would keep America on top. Look at us now.. 8 years later and 13 months of rising unemployment, a depleted military, and top CEO's landing softy with their "golden parachutes". Intelligence over FEAR, thats the change I VOTED for!
Politically I'm as conservative as you can get, but I've always thought that President Bush was wrong to intimidate the Russians by putting the missle defense systems so close to Russia. A space-based system is the way to go, unfortunately Obama said he isn't going to "weaponize space". I agree with Biden's position, except that he made a concession without getting something in return – he needs to learn the meaning of negotiation. Let's hope he doesn't give away the store trying to be a nice guy.
Wow – a real life fairy tale! The Russians are warming up. Only the most child-like wistful dreamers are really going to believe that nonsense.
Joe's bringing a knife to a gunfight. Clear out before you get hurt and hurt the rest of us Joe!
Did he lie to them about his "top half" finish in law school and his three undergraduate degrees? Why would anybody listen to anything this chronic liar and plagiarist has to say?
Finally, foreign policy by adults, instead of adolescent cowboys and their bitter sidekicks.
The Russians, the Cubans, and the Iranians....They arent bad people, its just we Americans are too pathetic to give up some of our pride to actually talk with countries. I dont care what they might've done in the past, lets move on to the future and make the world a peaceful place. We need help in Afghanistan and Darfur, we need to get credit from ruining Iraq, we need all the help we can get.
Most of the time communication can resolves so many issues and I think it was smart that Biden went to Germany to insure that we are willing to talk but at the same time we will defend our country if we have to. After reading some of these comments, what's wrong with that? That's the problem we had for the past 8 years no one willing to think first before taking action that why you have more Democratics in congress, president and vp
All this fear factors doesn't get us anywhere as a country. Republicans need to regroup and stop trying to divide this country with FEAR! It's old and worn out and the Americans realize that now.