Russia yesterday criticised US air raids on Iraq and called for a diplomatic solution to escalating tension between Washington and Baghdad.
Iraq is expected to be high on the agenda of today's meeting in Cairo between the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr Igor Ivanov, and the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell - the first top-level talks between Moscow and the new Republican administration.
"The use of force against Iraq is continuing despite opposition to such action - which contradicts the UN Charter and international law - from a majority of the world community", the Foreign Ministry said in Moscow in response to the recent air strike.
The Foreign Ministry said the strikes did nothing to settle the situation around Iraq and only threw up obstacles to a peaceful solution.
As well as the flare-up over Iraq, today's talks come amid fallout from a Cold War-vintage spy affair and a war of words over arms control, debt and corruption. The choice of a neutral venue for their first meeting illustrates the gulf that has separated Moscow and Washington since the 1999 Kosovo crisis. The agenda also contains such contentious issues as NATO expansion eastwards and all-missile defence.
Analysts say the two men will agree on topics for future talks rather than indulge in a high-powered blame game.