President Putin and the US Secretary of State discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation and the international agenda. They discussed the situation around Iran and Afghanistan, the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula. They exchanged opinions on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the fight against terrorism.
During the talk the President noted with satisfaction that Russia and the US have preserved the foundations of their relations in spite of some differences over the Iraq problem.
Vladimir Putin noted progress in the Russian-American dialogue on issues of agriculture and nuclear energy and expressed hope that his meeting with George Bush in St Petersburg in late May-early June would give a new impetus to bilateral relations in every field.
The Russian head of state congratulated the US Secretary of State on the completion of the process of ratification by both countries of the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty. The document was earlier approved by the US Senate, and today by the State Duma. The Treaty, signed by the US and Russian leaders in Moscow on May 24, 2002, reduces the nuclear arsenals of each side to 1,700–2,200 warheads.