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Rice sets off for talks in Moscow Rice scorns 'new Cold War' talk
(about 9 hours later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is travelling to Russia for talks issues that illustrate a widening divide between Moscow and Washington. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has dismissed talk of a new Cold War between Russia and the US, at the start of a visit to Moscow.
A more assertive Kremlin has expressed strong opposition to US efforts to extend its controversial missile defence shield in Europe. Ms Rice said "I think the parallels just frankly have no basis whatsoever", while acknowledging that "it's not an easy time" for Russian-US relations.
The Kremlin has expressed strong opposition to US plans to deploy a missile defence shield in Europe.
Washington's backing for Kosovo's independence has also been attacked.Washington's backing for Kosovo's independence has also been attacked.
For her part, Condoleezza Rice has criticised democratic setbacks in President Vladimir Putin's Russia. For her part, Ms Rice has criticised what she sees as democratic setbacks in President Vladimir Putin's Russia, says the BBC's correspondent at the state department, Jonathan Beale.
The US secretary of state will find it hard to defuse growing tensions with Moscow. Her key meetings will take place on Tuesday, when she meets Mr Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
President Putin has accused the United States of pursuing policies that have made the world a more dangerous place.
In return Washington has criticised Moscow for concentrating more power in the Kremlin.
How defence system worksHow defence system works
The United States believes that President Putin has backtracked on democratic reforms, but at the same time the Bush administration needs the support of Moscow on a range of issues. She said she did not like the current "rhetoric" surrounding US-Russian relations, but added that "it's not a time in which I think any sort of cataclysmic things are happening".
Condoleezza Rice will be trying to reassure Russia about its plans to extend the US missile defence shield in eastern Europe. Recently Mr Putin accused the US of making the world a more dangerous place.
Russia remains vehemently opposed at having more US military hardware so close to its own backyard. The United States believes Mr Putin has backtracked on democratic reforms, but at the same time the Bush administration needs the support of Moscow on a range of issues, says our correspondent.
The US secretary of state will also try to overcome Russia's objections to efforts to help Kosovo on the path towards independence. Ms Rice will be trying to reassure Russia about its plans to extend the US missile defence shield in Eastern Europe.
Russia remains vehemently opposed to having more US military hardware so close to its own backyard, our correspondent says.
Ms Rice will also try to overcome Russia's objections to efforts to help Kosovo on the path towards independence. Russia believes Kosovo should remain part of Serbia.
Washington also needs Russia's support to keep up the international pressure on Iran's nuclear programme.Washington also needs Russia's support to keep up the international pressure on Iran's nuclear programme.
While Washington may be anxious about the direction President Putin is taking his country, it cannot afford to alienate the Kremlin.