U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has praised the leadership of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in a meeting between the two men in Moscow.
Biden told Mr. Medvedev that his personal leadership "proved the skeptics wrong" about improving U.S.-Russian ties over the past two years.
Mr. Medvedev said Russia would like U.S. help in joining the World Trade Organization within the next year. Biden said earlier in his visit that the U.S. supports Russia's WTO membership bid.
U.S. officials say Biden is expected to discuss Arab uprisings in the Middle East with the Russian leadership. He is scheduled to meet with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
Earlier Wednesday, the U.S. vice president met with Russian business leaders in the country's future technology hub Skolkovo, as part of two days of talks aimed at improving U.S.-Russian relations.
Biden said investors are looking for assurances that the legal system treats them fairly and acts on their concerns swiftly.
Also Wednesday, the U.S. vice president oversaw the signing of an agreement between U.S. airplane manufacturer Boeing and Russia's Aeroloft for at least six B-777 airliners from Boeing.
Russia is Biden's second stop on a three-nation tour. He first visited Finland, and will depart Moscow Friday for a brief visit to the Moldovan capital of Chisinau before returning to Washington.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.