U.S. President Barack Obama confirmed on Thursday U.S. intentions to start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in July 2011.
Obama said at a news conference with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, that the withdrawal of U.S. troops does not mean the U.S. will be "switching off the lights and closing the door behind us."
On Wednesday, Obama replaced General Stanley McChrystal with Central Command chief David Petraeus as the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan.
Obama said Petraeus "understands the strategy because he helped shape it" and added that the U.S. will not "miss a beat" in implementing its strategy in Afghanistan.
Medvedev said Moscow supported Washington's effort in the Afghan war and praised the U.S. for helping the Afghan people.
"We believe that the United States and other countries are currently helping the Afghan people to regain their desired statehood, to restore the basic functions of an effective state and restore civil society and the economy. We will support U.S. efforts in this field," Medvedev said.
WASHINGTON, June 24 (RIA Novosti)
