Russia has announced that it is ready to ‘reduce by several times the number of nuclear delivery vehicles compared with the START-1 pact’, as negotiations with the US proceed.  This pledge is contingent upon Washington allaying Russia’s fears about missile defense in Europe.  Sergei Lavrov has asserted that the US is clear about Russia’s position on this issue.  Medvedev hopes for ‘more confidence in relations’.  On the potential problems awaiting Barack Obama in Moscow, a Moscow Times commentator argues that,  ‘If Obama takes a value-based approach, his opportunities on security will be limited’.