
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk with Russian President Dimitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana Medvedeva at their dacha outside Moscow, July 6, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama spoke at the New Economic School in Moscow on July 7th, 2009. Here is an excerpt from his speech:
"I speak to you today with deep respect for Russia's timeless heritage. Russian writers have helped us understand the complexity of the human experience and recognize eternal truths. Russian painters, composers and dancers have introduced us to new forms of beauty. Russian scientists have cured disease, sought new frontiers of progress and helped us go to space.
These are contributions that are not contained by Russia's borders, as vast as those borders are. Indeed, Russia's heritage has touched every corner of the world, and speaks to the humanity that we share. That includes my own country, which has been blessed with Russian immigrants for decades; we've been enriched by Russian culture, and enhanced by Russian cooperation."
Read the full speech here.

