U.S. lawmakers and their Russian counterparts have met to discuss arms control, North Korea and other international issues, setting the stage for President Barack Obama's visit to Moscow next week.
Few details were announced of Monday's talks between a U.S. House Foreign Relations Committee delegation and Russian foreign affairs officials.
Committee chief Howard Berman says he "goes back to Washington energized" to improve bilateral relations. Berman said he would try to eradicate Cold War-era laws that hamper their development.
Russian officials called the talks constructive.
Obama visits Russia July 6-8.
Both sides say they hope to meet again to discuss regulating their nuclear weapons before the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty expires in December.
