MOSCOW, October 10 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has congratulated his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama on winning the Nobel Peace Prize, the Kremlin said Saturday.
"I consider this move by the Nobel Committee as evidence of a realistic vision of world development dynamics. I hope this decision will serve as an additional impetus to our joint work to form a new climate in international politics and promote initiatives crucially important for global security," Medvedev's congratulatory message said.
Obama was named winner of the Nobel Peace prize on Friday for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." The laureate is awarded a gold medal, a diploma and 10 million Swedish kronor ($1.4m). The prize will be awarded in Oslo on December 10.
Since taking office, Obama has promoted the idea of a nuclear-free world, entering into talks with Russia on a new nuclear disarmament treaty and pushing the concept last month when he became the first U.S. president to chair a session of the UN Security Council.
However, given U.S. involvement in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as cross-border drone attacks on targets in Pakistan that have resulted in civilian deaths, the choice is likely to prove a controversial one in some quarters.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Friday, Obama said he felt unworthy to be in the company of previous winners, but that he will accept the award as "a call to action."
