Medvedev congratulates Obama on Senate ratification of START

During a telephonic conversation, the two leaders agreed that this was an historic event for both the countries and for US-Russia relationship, the White House said.

Medvedev has just returned from his trip to India, while Obama is spending his year-end vacation in Hawaii.

The telephonic conversation between the two leaders comes in the wake of the Wednesday's Senate ratification of the New START, under which the US and Russia have agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenal to 1,500.

"President Medvedev congratulated President Obama on the Senate's approval of the new START Treaty, and the two leaders agreed that this was an historic event for both countries and for US-Russia relations," the White House said.

Obama said the two leaders had a very productive year working together on new START, as well as Afghanistan, Iran sanctions, the 123 Agreement, issues related to the WTO, and the situation in Kyrgyzstan.

Obama also underscored the importance of the US and Russia working together to support a peaceful referendum in Sudan and a resolution to the impasse in Cote D’Ivoire that respects the results of the recent democratic election, the White House said.

The two leaders wished each other a Merry Christmas, and pledged to continue their close partnership in the New Year.