The US and Russian leaders will meet next month to discuss reducing nuclear weapons and exploring ways to cooperate on missile defense.

The White House said on Saturday that President Barack Obama would visit Moscow from July 6 through July 8 at the invitation of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The two sides are expected to discuss ways to "deepen engagement on reducing nuclear weapons, cooperating on non-proliferation, and exploring ways to cooperate on missile defense," said the White House.

The US president is also scheduled to attend a Group of Eight (G8) summit in Italy on July 8-10.

The G8 summit of leading economies in Italy would focus on efforts to curb the global financial crisis.

At the end of his tour, Obama would make his first presidential visit to Africa when he goes to Ghana on July 10.

Obama expressed hope to strengthen US relations with the African nation, according to the White House.

AGB/SC/MMN