Russia will continue to expand its relations with the United States, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday after newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul presented his letter of credence to the Kremlin.

“Ties with the United States will remain one of the priorities in Russia’s foreign policy,” Medvedev said at a ceremony at the Kremlin. “They have special significance for both the advancement of global security and for world stability.”

McFaul, who is seen as one of America’s leading experts on Russia and the architect of the so-called reset policy, was among seven other ambassadors in Moscow who handed in their credentials to President Medvedev.

McFaul said it gave him “great pleasure” to work with Medvedev towards resetting Russia-U.S. ties.

Barely a few days into the new job last month, McFaul was attacked by Russian TV pundit Mikhail Leontyev, who said the new envoy was sent to Moscow to promote a revolution.

State-run television also reported at length in January about McFaul’s talks with leading opposition figures at the U.S. Embassy. The report was entitled “U.S. Embassy: Receiving instructions from the new ambassador.”