William Burns, US Undersecretary of State and former US Ambassador in Moscow, has assured an Itar-Tass correspondent that the United States and Russia conduct active preparations for Barack Obama''s visit to Russia in July. Burns presented a report on prospects for Russia-US relations at the 28th World Russian Forum here on Monday.

Burns pointed out that a constructive beginning had been set during the two presidents'' meeting in London and that the US wants to carry on this work on that basis. He said the US believes that the sides will manage to achieve specific and tangible results. A visit to Washington early in May by Sergei Lavrov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be the next step, he pointed out.

Burns said progress made in London was the main achievement in Russian-US relations over the first 100 days of Obama''s presidency. He said his opinion is that it is essential to extend that progress.