The U.S. "will not miss a beat" in Afghanistan after a change in military leadership, President Obama said today, because new commander Gen. David Petraeus "helped shape" the policy that dismissed Gen. Stanley McChrystal had been supervising.  The beat includes plans to begin withdrawing troops in July 2011, though that does not mean an immediate pullout, Obama said at a joint news conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.  "We said that we'd begin a transition phase in which the Afghan government is taking on more and more responsibility," Obama said.  Obama and Medvedev also discussed economic issues during the news conference. Here's a play-by-play:  2:06 p.m. -- Starting about 20 minutes late, President Obama begins his opening statement. Says that when he came into office, the U.S.-Russian relationship "had drifted" and needed "re-setting." He cites successes: A new arms cut deal, new sanctions on Iran, improved intelligence and counter-terrorism efforts. But he adds that the two nations still disagree on some issues, including the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia.  Pledges further economic cooperation with Russia, and says he supports Medvedev's bid to join the World Trade Organization. Also cites Medvedev's visit this week to "Twitters" -- it's really called Twitter -- and jokes that tweets may be a new method of U.S.-Russian communication: "We may finally be able to get rid of those red phones."  2:16 p.m. -- In his opening statement, Medvedev -- speaking with an interpreter -- lauds the cheeseburger lunch he and Obama shared: "It's not quite healthy, but it's very tasty." Emphasizes the economic nature of his trip, including a visit to Silicon Valley in California. Looks forward to more work at this weekend's G-20 summit in Canada, including development of "a new financial order." Also notes that both the U.S. Senate and the Russian Duma must still ratify the new arms cut treaty.  2:26 p.m. -- Carol Lee of Politico asks Obama if the change of commanders in Afghanistan -- replacing Stanley McChrystal with David Petraeus -- will change his plans to begin withdrawing troops in July of 2011; she also asks Medvedev -- whose nation once lost a war in Afghanistan -- what advice he might give Obama on the war.  Obama says he made a change in personnel, not policy. Adds that July of next year will see the start of "a transition phase" in which Afghanistan begins to take control of its military and security forces -- it doesn't mean the U.S. will simply turn off the lights and take off. He notes that Petraeus helped write the plan that included the July 2011 date, and that the pace of troop withdrawal will be evaluated in due course.  Obama adds that the "issues" with McChrystal did not stem from policy, but his magazine comments.  Medvedev declines the offer to give Obama advice on Afghanistan. "This is hard topic, a difficult one," Medvedev says.  2:35 p.m. -- A Tass reporters notes that the U.S. has been backing Russian membership in the World Trade Organization for a decade -- what's the hold-up? He also asks Medvedev about his recent trip to Silicon Valley.  Obama says 99 percent of the WTO technical issues have been resolved, and "this is something we want to get resolved." Notes that WTO members have been concerned about transparency in the Russian trade and financial systems. Adds that he discussed issues of poultry trade with Medvedev, and jokes that it's odd to be talking to the Russian president "about chicken."  Medvedev stumps again for WTO membership, and hopes to resolve issues by the end of September. Notes that he and Obama talked about "swine" trade as well as chicken. He then talks about Silicon Valley, and hopes that high-tech firms like Cisco will become "strong partners" of Russia.  2:43 p.m. -- A Reuters reporter cites this weekend's G-20 summit in Canada and asks Obama if he thinks China will follow through on its pledge of currency reform.  "The initial signs were positive," Obama replies, "but it's too early to tell." Says Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner will stay on top of the issue. As for the G-20, Obama says "all countries" are going to have to start moving in different directions if they are to revive the global economy together.  2:48 p.m. -- A Russian newspaper reporter asks the presidents about unrest in Kyrgyzstan.  Medvedev says Russia still sees the embattled country as a "strategic partner" and hopes that new elections will produce a stable government. Otherwise, there is the risk that Kyrgyzstan will break up into "separate parts."  Obama says the U.S. is also monitoring event in Kyrgyzstan and hopes for a "peaceful resolution."
Obama: 'Will not miss a beat in Afghanistan' after leadership change - The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidency