Fyodor Lukyanov,  www.moscowtimes.ru

The promise by U.S. President Barack Obama's administration to "press the reset button" in its relations with Russia holds promise for rapid progress in the near future as well as for dealing with serious problems down the line.

The meeting in London has shown that both parties understand that by starting discussions on issues where their interests either overlap or are at least compatible, progress is more likely. That is why, at the first stage, talks have begun on strategic nuclear weapons and Afghanistan.

The new Russian and U.S. presidents give the impression of being pragmatists trying to find a reasonable way to cope with the burdensome heritage of the previous years. Their predecessors were unable to manage it; too many high hopes turned into deep disappointments, and personal relations took precedence over relations between states. The first meeting between Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev in London offers hope that now common sense and cooler heads will prevail.

But, remarks remarks by Obama and NATO officials in regard of Repablics of Osetia and Abhazia still left unpleasant taste. Remarks in which they demand from Russia to denounce both republics recognition will go to nowhere, but nevertheless they (demands) should leave a question for NATO and Obama: “are you ready to denounce recognition of Kosovo?”