Dmitry Medvedev Hails Barack Obama As 'COMRADE'

Russia's leader hailed President Barack Obama as a "comrade" on Thursday and predicted that the two countries would resolve the vexed issue of a missile defence shields in Eastern Europe. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gestures, after putting on a cap, during a speech to the London School of Economics in London. Delivering a strikingly conciliatory speech at the London School of Economics, President Dmitry Medvedev predicted that an agreement about defence could be achieved. At present America plans to deploy 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic to act as a shield against incoming weapons. Washington says the only aim is to guard against a future threat from a nuclear armed Iran. But Russia has always refused to accept this explanation.Mr Medvedev said: "On the part of America, there is decision to listen to our arguments. They are not trying to cut us off by saying the issue has been decided, there's nothing to discuss. Therefore we can try to find a way of resolving this issue." He added: "We cannot rattle our sabres and show our muscles. That is counter productive." But the President restated Russia's position to any further enlargement of Nato. "Before taking any decisions to further expand one should think about the consequences. I described this yesterday to my new friend and comrade, Barack Obama." Mr Medvedev added that Russia was "not the Soviet Union" and pledged that his country would develop into a "normal state with a market economy".