Lavrov's comments -- made after he met in Ankara on 5 February with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice -- were carried today by Russian news agencies.
The meeting in Ankara came in preparation for the summit between U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin on 24 February in Slovakia.
Lavrov said Russia and the United States remained allies in the struggle against terrorism, illegal drugs trafficking, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. But he admitted the two nations have "differences and difficulties."
Rice was quoted as saying Russia needs to show commitment to the "basics of democracy."
(AP/dpa/ITAR-TASS)
The meeting in Ankara came in preparation for the summit between U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin on 24 February in Slovakia.
Lavrov said Russia and the United States remained allies in the struggle against terrorism, illegal drugs trafficking, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. But he admitted the two nations have "differences and difficulties."
Rice was quoted as saying Russia needs to show commitment to the "basics of democracy."
(AP/dpa/ITAR-TASS)
