said . `` Total trade between our countries is just $ 36 billion . Our trade -- America 's trade with Russia -- is only about 1 percent of all our trade with the world -- 1 percent -- a percent that 's virtually unchanged since the Cold War . '' Watch Obama 's full opening statement '' Obama later met Russian opposition leaders , speaking of the importance for the country to `` not simply tolerate dissenting voices but also to respect and recognize dissenting voices . '' Obama also spoke to civil society leaders , promising the United States will support universal values and human rights such as the rights of people to live as they choose , to have a free press and to speak their minds . On Monday Obama met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and discussed a series of agreements -- including one on nuclear-arms reduction -- as part of an effort to strengthen ties between the one-time Cold War rivals . The two signed a deal on parameters for negotiations to replace the START agreement , with the goal of reducing nuclear weapons . START expires December 5 . Watch Obama discuss arms
MOSCOW , Russia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A strong Russia is good for the United States , President Obama said in a speech in Moscow , where he is visiting in an effort to `` reset '' the countries ' relations . President Obama meets with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Tuesday before heading to the G-8 in Italy . Obama delivered a commencement speech Tuesday at a Moscow graduate school . `` America wants a strong , peaceful and prosperous Russia , '' he told a large crowd at the New Economic School . `` This belief is rooted in our respect for the Russian people , and a shared history between our nations that goes beyond competition . '' He repeated the message in a meeting later with Russian business leaders , but also said Russia has to do more to fight corruption . `` We have to promote transparency , accountability , rule of law on which investments and economic growth depend , '' he said . Watch Obama discuss thoughts on Kremlin visit '' `` We want Russia to be selling us goods and we want Russia to be buying goods from us , '' he