This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7300090.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US-Russia talks on missile shield Russia upbeat on US missile talks
(about 8 hours later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defence Secretary Robert Gates are to hold talks in Moscow with their Russian counterparts. Russia's president-elect has expressed confidence that Moscow and Washington will be able to bring their positions closer on US missile defence plans.
The main topic of discussion is expected to be Washington's plans to place parts of a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic. "There is a will to move forward," Dmitry Medvedev said, but admitted that differences still remained.
Moscow strongly objects to the plan, saying it is a threat to Russia. He was speaking in Moscow as he met US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
Mr Rice and Mr Gates are also due to meet President Vladimir Putin and his elected successor Dmitry Medvedev. Russia strongly objects to a US plan to place parts of a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The US missile defence plans continue to provoke bitter opposition from the Kremlin. Washington says its missile shield will protect the country against attacks from "rogue" states.
Bush's letter
"We must create the basis for the continuity of Russian-American relations in future. We have everything we need to achieve that," Mr Medvedev said.
How defence system worksHow defence system works
Many in Moscow believe the system is a threat to Russia, and countless American assurances to the contrary have failed to convince. Ms Rice and Mr Gates also met President Vladimir Putin, who revealed that he had recently received a letter from President George W Bush, describing it as a "serious document".
Speaking to reporters during his flight to Moscow, Mr Gates suggested it was now up to Russia to come up with new proposals. But he also talked down chances of a major breakthrough during the visit. President Putin, who will step down next month, said the US-Russian "dialogue will be productive if we manage to agree on its [the letter's] main provisions".
It comes just days after an ill-tempered verbal exchange between the two former Cold War foes. He did not give further details about the letter.
Speaking to reporters earlier, during his flight to Moscow, Mr Gates said he expected Russia to respond to earlier US proposals on the issue, including one offering Moscow access to missile shield sites.
"We've put a lot on the table and now it's time for them [the Russians] to reciprocate," Mr Gates said.
"At some point the Russians are going to have to decide whether they want to be true partners, which we are offering, or whether this is just all a sham game on their part to stall the whole deal."
But Mr Gates also talked down chances of a major breakthrough during the visit.
Many in Moscow believe the system is a threat to Russia, and countless American assurances to the contrary have failed to convince, the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says.
The talks in Moscow come just days after an ill-tempered verbal exchange between the two former Cold War foes.
Last week, a US state department document highlighted reports of widespread human rights abuses in Russia.Last week, a US state department document highlighted reports of widespread human rights abuses in Russia.
Moscow 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".