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Russia, US renew 'positive' talks Russia-US missile talks 'stalled'
(about 13 hours later)
Senior officials from Russia and the US are holding a second day of talks aimed at improving bilateral relations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said no agreement has been reached with the US over its plan to base parts of a missile defence system in Europe.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are in Moscow for talks on missile defence, non-proliferation and terrorism. He said Russia continued to oppose the use of facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic after talks in Moscow.
Monday's talks with their counterparts had gone well, the US officials said. But his US counterpart, Condoleezza Rice, stressed the countries continued to work together on a range of issues.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had received a "serious document" from the US that could bring positive dialogue on the missile defence issue. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of the prospect of better relations between the two nations.
Following Monday's discussions with the Russian president and President-elect Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Gates suggested a deal on the thorny issue could be struck before President George W Bush left office. Mr Putin said he had received a "serious document" from President George W Bush that might help resolve a number of problems, including missile defence.
Upbeat tone 'Useful proposals'
"The environment in our meetings was positive," Mr Gates said of Monday's talks. After talks with Ms Rice and Defence Secretary Robert Gates in Moscow on Tuesday, Mr Lavrov said the US had reiterated its intention of deploying missile defence facilities in eastern Europe, and that his government still opposed those plans.
The American side, as far as we understand, has heeded our concerns Sergei LavrovRussian Foreign Minister
Washington wants the shield to destroy ballistic missiles potentially coming from "rogue" states such as North Korea and Iran.
Its current plans would see some interceptor missiles based in Poland and an associated radar built in the Czech Republic.
Moscow has objected to the proposal, saying the missiles and radar could threaten its own defences and the facilities in eastern Europe expanded in the future.
Nevertheless, Mr Lavrov said the US had made "important, useful proposals" aimed at allaying some of Russia's concerns at their meeting.
"The American side, as far as we understand, has heeded our concerns," he added. "We agreed to continue consultations to study the proposals received today."
How defence system worksHow defence system works
"Whether that leads to a positive conclusion remains to be seen." Ms Rice agreed both sides had held "useful" discussions on missile defence.
The upbeat tone contrasts with a dip in relations last year over American plans to base parts of a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic. "When we have differences, we can talk about them in an atmosphere of mutual respect," she added.
Russia strongly objects to the US missile defence plan, but Washington says its missile shield will protect the US against attacks from "rogue" states. Following Monday's discussions with Mr Putin and President-elect Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Gates suggested a deal could be struck on missile defence before Mr Bush left office in January 2009.
Asked by reporters whether the missile defence issue could be settled before the end of Mr Bush's term in office - in January 2009 - Mr Gates said: "I think the answer is 'yes'." "The environment in our meetings was positive," Mr Gates said. "Whether that leads to a positive conclusion remains to be seen."
Move forwardMove forward
Mr Putin, who steps down next month, said there were "enough problems" to discuss but that some issues could be considered resolved. He did not elaborate.Mr Putin, who steps down next month, said there were "enough problems" to discuss but that some issues could be considered resolved. He did not elaborate.
Referring to the letter he had received from Mr Bush, the Russian president said: "If we manage to agree on its main provisions, we will be able to say that our dialogue is progressing successfully".Referring to the letter he had received from Mr Bush, the Russian president said: "If we manage to agree on its main provisions, we will be able to say that our dialogue is progressing successfully".
For his part, Mr Medvedev said that while differences remained between the two former Cold War foes, "there is a will to move forward".For his part, Mr Medvedev said that while differences remained between the two former Cold War foes, "there is a will to move forward".
The atmosphere ahead of this week's talks was soured by an ill-tempered verbal exchange.The atmosphere ahead of this week's talks was soured by an ill-tempered verbal exchange.
A US state department document released last week highlighted reports of widespread human rights abuses in Russia. A US state department document released last week highlighted reports of widespread human-rights abuses in Russia.
The Kremlin dismissed it as a "hackneyed collection of claims" and accused Washington of "double standards".The Kremlin dismissed it as a "hackneyed collection of claims" and accused Washington of "double standards".