MUNICH, Germany: Russia yesterday welcomed a pledge by the United States "to press the reset button" on relations with Moscow, in a sign the former Cold War rivals could repair relations under US President Barack Obama.

US Vice-President Joe Biden, in a speech at the security conference in Munich, said on Saturday it was time to end a dangerous drift in ties and work with Moscow.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, speaking at a news conference in Munich after meeting Biden yesterday, said the United States had sent a strong signal about its willingness to cooperate. "It is obvious the new US administration has a very strong desire to change and that inspires optimism," Ivanov said.