Obama in Russia on a historic visit

Moscow: US President Barack Obama on Monday arrived in Moscow on a maiden visit to Russia to 'reset' the damaged bilateral ties and sign new accords, including a landmark arms reduction treaty to replace a Cold War era nuclear pact.

He was accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia.

Several documents including framework accord on arms reduction and transit of US troops to Afghanistan via Russian territory are expected to be signed later on Monday.

Moscow welcomed the First Family with an unusual mid-summer chill with temperature dropping to 12 degrees.

On Monday, Obama is scheduled to hold five hours of formal and informal talks with President Dmitry Medvedev and address a joint press conference in the Kremlin after 19.30 hrs IST.

The first day will conclude with a private dinner hosted by Medvedev family at their country retreat near Moscow.

During his three-day stay in Moscow, Obama would hold a US-Russia summit meeting with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, besides meeting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and former President Mikhail Gorbachev.

Earlier in an interview to a Russian media outlet, Obama said he was looking forward to explore with Moscow the possibilities of cooperation on economic and defence issues besides on dealing with terrorism and issues like Iran.