Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to take part in talks in Washington later today with U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Talks are expected to focus on the Obama administration's European missile plans, which Lavrov said remain the biggest irritant in Russian-American relations.
Speaking at the Russian Embassy in Washington on July 12, Lavrov said Moscow is concerned that the U.S.-led project could undermine Russian security.
"It's not a matter of who is going to attack whom. We are not enemies, we said so in Lisbon very bluntly," Lavrov said. "We said that we are partners. But it's just a matter of military planners who are paid, you know, for making sure that whenever something which can fire is next to your border, you must take some compensating measures, as it were.
Lavrov said talks also will touch on Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), which Lavrov complained has taken too long.
compiled from agency reports
Talks are expected to focus on the Obama administration's European missile plans, which Lavrov said remain the biggest irritant in Russian-American relations.
Speaking at the Russian Embassy in Washington on July 12, Lavrov said Moscow is concerned that the U.S.-led project could undermine Russian security.
"It's not a matter of who is going to attack whom. We are not enemies, we said so in Lisbon very bluntly," Lavrov said. "We said that we are partners. But it's just a matter of military planners who are paid, you know, for making sure that whenever something which can fire is next to your border, you must take some compensating measures, as it were.
Lavrov said talks also will touch on Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), which Lavrov complained has taken too long.
compiled from agency reports