Achieving a follow-on treaty to START required a reexamination of US policy toward Russia. Obama’s close advisors began to refine that policy approach soon after taking office. This included an examination of the strategic environment for negotiating a new treaty, especially defining US and Russian national interests. Further, not only did the new policy require development, but also communicating US intent to improve relations with the Russians was imperative. Aligning US policy toward Russia with arms control policy was another critical feature of the policy formulation process since multiple US departments and agencies had a stake in both issue areas. Lastly, a personal relationship between Obama and Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev commenced when they met in London in early April and agreed to negotiate a new nuclear arms control treaty.