Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday told University of Pittsburgh students that President Barack Obama's recent decision to amend the missile defense project in Europe indicates that the prospects of U.S.-Russian relations are good.

"I generally feel comfortable with President Obama," Mr. Medvedev said. "We belong to the same generation, and have similar education. My impression is that President Obama can listen [to an interlocutor] as opposed to casting himself in the role of a mentor."

President Medvedev was speaking in Russian to about 200 students at Pitt's Cathedral of Learning on the sidelines of the G-20 summit, which began yesterday.

Following a five-minute introduction by Pitt Chancellor Mark Nordenberg, Mr. Medvedev took a few minutes to apologize for being nearly 60 minutes late due to "heavy air traffic over Pittsburgh." He then complimented the university's research and educational programs and noted that his values are closer to those of his audience than to those of the late Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev, who visited the city 50 years ago.

Mr. Medvedev said Mr. Obama's decision to scrap the Bush administration plan to put parts of the missile defense shield in Eastern Europe is an example of Mr. Obama's style, calling it "a brave move" that was made in the interest of the United States.

"But what's interesting is that President Obama -- when making that decision -- obviously took into account my opinion as well, which means that he is capable of listening and making brave decisions. ... And if we continue to take into consideration opinions of each other, our relations will develop well," he said.

When asked by a student about Russia's plans regarding concerns of the international community over Iran's nuclear program -- another sticking point in the U.S.-Russian relations -- Mr. Medvedev reiterated his doubts that international sanctions against Iran would be an effective deterrent of its suspected nuclear weapons program, adding that it can't be ruled out as the last resort.

He stressed that Russia shares the nonproliferation values of the rest of the international community.

That response didn't satisfy at least one student.

"When he was talking about Iran, instead of addressing the intricacies of the problem, he referred to the shared interests of the rest of the world to make sure that Iran is checked," said Jonathan Sherry, 22, a graduate student of modern European history. But I would say to him that the other powers of the world should also be checked to a much greater degree as to how they take part in preventing nuclear proliferation, including Russia in reference to Iran and the United States in reference to Israel."

On Russia's domestic issues, Mr. Sherry said Mr. Medvedev was more forthcoming.