Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had a telephone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday to discuss prospects for signing a new strategic offensive arms reduction treaty.

The conversation was initiated by the American president, the Kremlin press service said.

“The heads of state discussed in detail and at length pressing issues of Russian-American relations, including the signing of a new START in the near future,” the press service said.

“All issues were discussed in the constructive and benevolent spirit that has become traditional for top-level contacts,” it said.