MOSCOW — Some of the biggest names in U.S. foreign policy of the past decades met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today in an effort to improve frosty relations that experts say could threaten many U.S. foreign policy goals.

In some of his most upbeat comments about U.S. relations since President Barack Obama took office, Medvedev said his meetings with current and former U.S. officials in recent weeks "reflect the goal of our nations to significantly improve ties."

After greeting a delegation led by former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Medvedev praised the U.S. initiative, first announced by Vice President Joe Biden, to "press the reset button" on U.S.-Russia relations.

"The surprising term 'reset' ... really reflects the essence of the changes we would like to see," Medvedev said. "We count on the reset. I hope it will take place."

Kissinger, an architect of U.S. Cold War strategy toward the Soviet Union, said he and a group including former Secretary of State George Shultz and former Sen. Sam Nunn had discussed energy and other "strategic issues" with the Russian president.

Kissinger also told Medvedev the group hoped the Russian leader's April meeting with Obama in London would help improve ties.

"We believe in the generally optimistic attitude, and we hope ... that the meeting between you and our president will begin a new period in our relationship and will lead to concrete results," Kissinger said.