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Rice set for key talks with Putin Rice holds key talks with Putin
(about 4 hours later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to hold key talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is holding key talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ms Rice is the most senior US official to meet Mr Putin since he accused the Washington of seeking global dominance in a speech in Munich in February. Ms Rice is the most senior US official to meet Mr Putin since he accused Washington of seeking global dominance in a speech in Munich in February.
On Monday, Mr Rice dismissed talks of a new Cold War, but admitted it was not "an easy time" for the US-Russian ties. On Monday, Mr Rice dismissed talks of a new Cold War, but admitted it was not "an easy time" for US-Russian ties.
The two sides are divided over several issues, including US plans to deploy a missile defence shield in Europe.The two sides are divided over several issues, including US plans to deploy a missile defence shield in Europe.
Russia sees the proposals as unnecessary or even as a potential threat to its security, the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says. We always call on our American partners to talk frankly and not try to force their point of view on others Mikhail KamyninRussian foreign ministry
We always call on our American partners to talk frankly and not try to force their point of view on others Mikhail Kamynin, Russian foreign ministry spokesman Russia sees the proposal as unnecessary or even a potential threat to its security and US attempts to persuade them otherwise have cut no ice, says the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow.
The Kremlin has also expressed its opposition to Washington's backing for the independence of Serbia's province of Kosovo. The Kremlin has also expressed opposition to Washington's backing for the independence of Serbia's province of Kosovo.
For her part, Ms Rice has criticised what she sees as democratic setbacks in President Vladimir Putin's Russia. For her part, Ms Rice has criticised what she sees as democratic setbacks in Mr Putin's Russia.
'Positive talks''Positive talks'
On Tuesday, Mr Rice will hold key talks with President Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Ms Rice is meeting Mr Putin, Russian Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, former Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, as well as Russian civic leaders.
Russian officials said they were expecting the talks to be calm and positive.
How defence system worksHow defence system works
Russian officials have said they are ready for calm and positive talks.
"We always call on our American partners to talk frankly and not try to force their point of view on others," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency."We always call on our American partners to talk frankly and not try to force their point of view on others," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
Ms Rice will be trying to reassure Russia about the plans to extend the US missile defence shield in Eastern Europe. Ms Rice will be trying to reassure Russia about the plans to extend the US missile defence shield in eastern Europe.
The US opened talks with Poland on Monday over its plans to locate part of its defence shield on Polish soil.The US opened talks with Poland on Monday over its plans to locate part of its defence shield on Polish soil.
The US wants 10 interceptor rockets there to destroy any long-range ballistic missiles fired at the US from the Middle East.The US wants 10 interceptor rockets there to destroy any long-range ballistic missiles fired at the US from the Middle East.
Warsaw has indicated it will back the plan if it improves Poland's security. Warsaw has indicated it will back the plan if it improves Poland's security. The US also wants a radar base in the Czech Republic.
The US also wants a radar base in the Czech Republic. Ms Rice will additionally try to overcome Russia's objections to efforts to help Kosovo on the path towards independence. Russia believes Kosovo should remain part of Serbia.
Ms Rice will additionally try to overcome Russia's objections to efforts to help Kosovo on the path towards independence. "It is not an easy time in the relationship, but it is also not, I think, a time in which cataclysmic things are affecting the relationship or catastrophic things are happening in the relationship," Ms Rice said ahead of the talks.
Russia believes Kosovo should remain part of Serbia. The US believes that Mr Putin has back-tracked on democratic reforms, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington.
The US believes that Mr Putin has backtracked on democratic reforms, says the BBC's correspondent at the US state department, Jonathan Beale. But he says that at the same time the Bush administration needs the support of Moscow on a range of issues, including keeping up the international pressure over Iran's nuclear programme.
But he says that at the same time the Bush administration needs the support of Moscow on a range of issues, including keeping up the international pressure on Iran's nuclear programme.