Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that talks with his United States counterpart Hilary Clinton concluded without a deal being made on U.S. missile defense plans.
Lavrov said the two sides agreed at a meeting in Washington on Thursday that work must continue at a lower level, RIA-Novosti reported. He said he reiterated Russia's position of wanting guarantees that a U.S. missile defense system in Europe, which the U.S. says is meant to counteract a possible strike from Iran, will not present a threat to Russia.
"We will make sure that our position is fully taken into account," Lavrov said.
Earlier this month, acting U.S. Undersecretary of? State Rose Gottemoeller said Russian and? U.S. technical experts should meet to? discuss the U.S. missile shield's specifics.
Last week, Lavrov said U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul had "arrogantly" rejected Russia's concerns about U.S. plans for? a missile shield in? a recent interview with RIA-Novosti.
"Yesterday our colleague, the? U.S. ambassador, arrogantly announced there will be no changes on? missile defense, even though it would seem that an? ambassador … should understand it is necessary to? take the? interests of? the state in? question into? account," RIA-Novosti quoted Lavrov as telling students in? Azerbaijan.
McFaul had said the? United States would move forward with the? creation of? a shield capable of? protecting the? U.S. and? its NATO allies and? would not put binders on? its potential development. The remarks were in? line with previous statements by? the U.S.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.