MOSCOW, September 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday that Russia valued U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to scrap plans for a missile shield in Central Europe.

Obama announced earlier Thursday that Washington was dropping its previous plans to deploy elements of a missile shield in the Czech Republic and Poland.

Medvedev said that Russia "noted President Obama's announcement on the adjustment of the U.S.'s approach to the issue of missile defense."

"We value the responsible approach of the U.S. president to our agreement. I am ready to continue our dialogue," Medvedev said.

The Russian and U.S. leaders had discussed the issue during Obama's visit to Moscow in July and during their first meeting in London at the start of April.