Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his United States counterpart Barack Obama pledged to restore the potential of Russia-U.S. relations during a phone conversation, the Kremlin said on Monday.

Medvedev, nearly one week after the U.S. presidential inaugural ceremony, congratulated Obama on his inauguration and wished him success, said the Kremlin.

The two heads of state agreed to enhance cooperation in such fields as coping with the financial crisis, the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the fight against terrorism, said the Kremlin in a statement.

They also noted that it was important to settle the crisis in the Middle East and the situation in Afghanistan, Itar-Tass news agency reported.

The Russia-U.S. ties deteriorated in recent years due to an array of rows, including Washington's plan to establish an anti-ballistic missile shield in Central Europe and its support to Ukraine and Georgia's bids for NATO membership.