Russian President Dmitry Medvedev praised President Barack Obama on Friday for winning U.S. support for an arms treaty at the centre of a "reset" in ties and lamented the slow pace of his own drive to modernise Russia, according to Reuters. In an annual year-end interview with Russia's three top television channels, Medvedev said carrying out his ambitious reform agenda would take time, but gave no indication of whether he would seek a second term in 2012. Medvedev's remarks in a live television interview strongly indicated Russian lawmakers will follow the U.S. Senate in ratifying the New START treaty, despite criticism of wording attached to accompanying documents by their U.S. counterparts. "In rather difficult circumstances, he was able to push through the ratification of the paramount START document which will ensure our security in the coming years," Medvedev said of Obama. He said Obama "fulfills his promises" and stressed that the publication of U.S. diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks, which portrayed Russia in a negative light, would not set back relations. Securing the START treaty has been crucial for Medvedev, who observers say has little to show for more than two years as president since Vladimir Putin steered him into the presidency as his successor in March 2008. In an interview focusing on domestic issues, Medvedev acknowledged a lack of major progress on his pledge to modernise Russia's economy and reduce its reliance on energy exports. "Modernisation is progressing, its pace may have accelerated from the start of the year, but of course not much has been achieved so far," Medvedev acknowledged. "I think (results) exist. But they are not great in number." Russians are awaiting word on whether Putin, now prime minister, will seek to return to the presidency in 2012 or endorse Medvedev for new six-year term. Both have said they will decide on a Kremlin candidate closer to the vote.
