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Russian-American relations are in a "reset" mode. What had gone wrong?
I don't want to allocate blame. It's better to say that when President Obama came to office there was distrust, and I know that's not productive. We're going to have areas of disagreement, but we also will have areas of agreement. The prior administration, for example, was not very positive about arms-control agreements of any kind. We are, and we think that this is an area where the United States and Russia have a special obligation to lead.
On Iran, do you have Russia on your side if it goes to sanctions?
We have a very clear understanding. We prefer the diplomatic engagement route. But if it is not successful, we will consider the other track.
What if it goes to sanctions and Russia doesn't join?
I don't want to answer hypothetical questions. We are not there yet. We had a very constructive discussion. Our Russian colleagues agree that the commitments that Iran has made, to ship out its low-enriched uranium and to open itself to inspections, they have to carry that out.
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Russia has been defending its right to sell Iran S-300 surface-to-air missiles. Did you persuade Russia not to do that?
They haven't done it yet.
But is it an open question?
No. It is something we have raised and will continue to raise with them. But they have not delivered any such systems, which we think is a good sign.
What is the U.S. position on missile defense?
We are very open to cooperating with Russia. We believe that a joint effort would be preferable, because the threats we face come from the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons by Iran and the missile capacity it might have. I believe that the changes that President Obama recently ordered in our missile-defense system were important because it is more directed at the threat that exists.
How is your approach to democracy in Russia different?
We remain committed to supporting those who are working for democracy and human rights, because we think that those are universal values. We also believe that improving the relationship between the United States and Russia creates more space for people to be heard. The U.S. wants a good relationship between our governments, and we want to support those who are agents of change that will improve the lives of Russian people.
What will be the U.S. reaction if Vladimir Putin returns to the presidency in three years?
I don't have any comment on who the people of Russia choose to be their leaders. That's up to [them] to decide. We have a very positive relationship with President Dmitry Medvedev, and I am sure that we will have a positive relationship with whomever. So I don't have any concerns.
Can you comment on the Nobel?
As the president said, he was surprised and humbled to receive the Nobel Prize. But it should be a call to action. It should be a call to move toward nonproliferation and reducing our nuclear arsenals. It should be a call to deal with climate change and poverty and food insecurity. It should be a call to bring up disputes together. We should respond to people's desire that their leaders—whoever those leaders are—work in their best interests and try to create better conditions: better economic conditions and better political conditions. That is what I think the president is trying to do.
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