US, Russia agree to resume military cooperation

[David]

AP


MOSCOW – The United States and Russia say they are resuming military cooperation suspended after Russia invaded its smaller neighbor Georgia last year.

The expected announcement came Monday, as President Barack Obama and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev (dih-MEE'-tree med-VYEH'-dyev) met for their first summit in Moscow.

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen and his Russian counterpart signed an outline for renewed military contacts. The White House announced that the two nations plan 20 exchanges and meeting this year.

For example, Russian military cadets will come to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The two countries also plan a joint exercise to respond to a plane hijacking.

U.S. and Russian relations were at a low point following the August 2008 conflict in Georgia.