RUSSIA: Russia yesterday called for more dialogue with the US to cool recent tensions and speculation of a new cold war emerging between the former ideological foes.
While senior officials from both administrations sought to play down their differences during talks in Moscow, the president Vladmimir Putin emphasised once again the importance of strengthening Russia's armed forces.
It follows the surge of concern in the US at the series of increasing critical comments from the Kremlin, culminating in a recent speech by Mr Putin warning that Washington was imposing its will on the world with dangerous policies.
"We do not consider President Putin's speech as an invitation to confrontation and do not think that his speech was intended that way," said US national security adviser Stephen Hadley, during a brief visit to Moscow, as he sought to talk down tensions.
The list of Russian complaints against the US now stretches from plans for a radar missile shield across Europe, Nato's expansion eastwards, the toughening rhetoric against Iran, and the current independence plans for Kosovo.
The US for its part has complained that Russia has been moving away from western democratic and human rights standards and has been using its energy resources as a political weapon with neighbours.
Seeking to cool tensions and suggesting greater consultation with Moscow, the chief of the Russian security council, Igor Ivanov, said both former superpowers should work to ease conflicts. "It does not mean that our relations are cloudless. We have disagreements and misunderstandings, including in the sphere of security." However, there was no sign of any major shift in stance from either side yesterday in terms of content.
The meeting in Moscow coincided with fresh controversy triggered by Mr Putin's speech, with the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, dismissing Russian criticism of plans to site radar shields in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Responding to comments from a Russian general that these could become new targets for Russia's own defence systems, Ms Rice described this suggestion as "extremely unfortunate". However, Washington has also been seeking to win Russia's backing as tensions with Iran escalate.
Apart from fears that Tehran may soon be able to produce atomic weapons, the US military in neighbouring Iraq has accused sections of the Iranian government of backing some insurgents with financial and bomb-making assistance.
Claiming delayed payments, Russia this week threatened to stall the shipment of uranium so the Bushehr nuclear plant could become operational. However, there was also speculation that Moscow may be seeking a way to distance itself from Iran and its contract to build an electricity generating nuclear power plant.
There were also suggestions from a senior US congressman, Tom Lantos, in Moscow this week that the Jackson Vanik trade provision against Russia might soon be dropped - interpreted in Russia as a possible incentive to boost the strained relations.
However, in a speech to mark today's Defender of the Fatherland public holiday in Russia, Mr Putin returned to the question of his country's military readiness. "We are not threatening anyone or making any aggressive plans. It is possible to guarantee the security of Russia and its citizens only through strengthening the nation's defence potential and maintaining a modern army capable of rebuffing these threats."
He warned that terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction were a growing danger to global stability.
Setting down a separate marker on Russia's stance towards Kosovo, the country's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, insisted that Serbia should not be coerced into recognising Kosovo's independence.