MOSCOW, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday that it was necessary for G20 leaders to reach an agreement at the coming London summit.
In an interview aired on Sunday with the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) ahead of the G20 London summit, Medvedev also expressed willingness to consolidate Russian-U.S. ties.
As one of the world's most heavily export-oriented countries, Russia has suffered a lot from the ongoing financial crisis, said Medvedev, who pledged to "continue following the path of economic diversification" in boosting Russia's economy.
Medvedev believed the G20 leaders have to reach an agreement at the summit, "because it is the future of our countries and our peoples that depends on our accord, on our determination to introduce fundamental changes into the world financial architecture."
He also said the set of proposals to be considered at the summit has been almost finalized.
FIRST MEETING WITH OBAMA
Medvedev is scheduled to meet U.S. President Barack Obama for the first time at the summit. When asked about his personal impression about Obama, Medvedev jokingly said he had known Obama well from television.
Medvedev also said he and Obama have held two "constructive" and "fruitful" telephone conversations, and they have exchanged opinions through letters.
"I would like to say that, in my view, the message by President Obama was very positive. And, frankly speaking, when I was reading it I was even surprised by the fact that many views outlined there coincided with my own ones," said Medvedev.
"The question, certainly, is how we shall be able to present our views during our personal meeting. To what extent our teams are ready to move in a certain direction, to what extent we are ready to break stereotypes. To what extent we are ready to carry out the rebooting which is spoken about so much today," he added.
PLANNED U.S. ANTIMISSILE SYSTEM IN EASTERN EUROPEA
When asked about the antimissile system in Eastern Europe and Iran's nuclear program, Medvedev denied the possibility of "a trade-off" on these two issues between Russia and the United States.
Medvedev reiterated Russia wants a comprehensive missile system created rather than a fragmentary one.
"Our position has always been clear: we should not create ABM elements -- a comprehensive antimissile system is required. And Russia is ready to become engaged in this system, because we are also interested in securing our country and our citizens from threats posed by certain problematic states," he said.
"As for Iran, we maintain full-fledged relations with this state, but our position is based on well-known UN resolutions and approaches set forth by the IAEA, namely that Iran's nuclear program should be peaceful. This is our public position, we have always informed Iranians about this. I don't think that any trade-offs are possible in this respect. Any information as to replace one issue with another one is not true, this is not a serious talk," said Medvedev.
The Russian president also said issues like Iran and missile defense have always been on the agenda of Russian-U.S. contacts.
"We have issues regarding which we maintain permanent contacts with the United States Administration irrespective of the level of our relations or whether our views on any specific issue of the current agenda coincide or differ. Both antimissile defense and a settlement of the situation around Iran are among such issues. We have maintained regular contacts on these issues with the previous Administration too," said Medvedev.
Asked whether a new start of relations can take place between Russia and the West after Obama took office and after the crisis broke out, Medvedev said: "New start is certainly possible, it is even necessary. I hope that my partner shares that point of view. Very soon we will meet and discuss everything. I am a moderate optimist. I believe that if the humanity exists and progresses, that is because there is some reason behind it."
The full text of the interview has been published on the Kremlin website.
