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Vladimir Bartenev, expert of the Russian Council on International Affairs
The so-called new agenda was announced at the meeting of the two leaders in June.
Certain statements were made on such topics as cybersecurity
and cooperation in the sphere of counterterrorism.
I think the agenda will remain the same.
At the same time, as we have already discussed it at our conference,
relevant issues in the sphere of strategic stability should be settled.
I emphasize that the point is not only in the missile defense system,
but the much wider variety of arms, the stepping out of mutually guarantied destruction
which is being discussed by experts today toward mutually guaranteed stability.
To achieve this, the agenda should be extended.
We should discuss not only missile defense, but also other arms.
Naturally, we should concentrate on the situation in Afghanistan
after the withdrawal of troops of the international coalition in 2014,
notwithstanding, what scenario of the Afghan settlement would be adopted by the administration of Obama.
It is not important how many American soldiers remain in Afghanistan;
it is important to maintain the strategic dialogue between the two countries on the problem.
It should be discussed today.
Anyway, the new thorn which appeared in the Russian-American relations,
I mean the situation over Snowden, I think shouldn't worsen the common climate.
If some breakthroughs can be achieved in bilateral relations,
they should be reached before Barack Obama will turn into a lame duck,
when his presidential term comes to an end,
and pressure from the Republicans in the country will grow on many issues, not only Snowden.
It will be more and more difficult for him to make some significant decisions on various regional problems.
Of course, in the context of the current situation with Russia,
it will be difficult for him to lobby any approach and register it in documents,
I don't mention the missile defense, it is completely accepted.
Any approach registered in documents will be difficult.