Russia has criticised the United States over Kosovo and US missile-shield plans at a meeting aimed at preparing for next week's Group of Eight gathering.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke about disagreements over Kosovo, a major irritant in Russia's relations with the European Union and the United States.
"Our positions [on Kosovo] are diametrically opposed, and I don't see any chances of the positions moving any closer together," he said last night after the meeting of G8 foreign ministers south of Berlin.
Serbia, backed by Russia, opposes a plan proposed by UN mediator Martti Ahtisaari offering the Albanian majority province independence under international supervision.
Western powers have backed a UN resolution that would grant Kosovo effective independence. But Mr Lavrov said other world powers should let Serbs and Kosovo Albanians sort out the question of the future status of the province themselves.
G8 president Germany hopes to avoid a showdown between the United States and Russia at the Heiligendamm leaders' summit which will focus on climate change and aid to Africa.
But US officials travelling with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the Russians had sought conflict at every turn.
Mr Lavrov also dismissed Ms Rice's claim that Russian opposition to the planned US defence shield was "ludicrous" and said Moscow was still waiting for answers about the system.
The United States wants to deploy a radar system in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland by 2011-12. It says the system would counter threats from "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea, but Moscow sees it as an encroachment on its former sphere of influence.
Mr Lavrov also criticised US military shipments last week to Lebanon's government and warned that such aid could further destabilising the region. Ms Rice has insisted the United States is not interfering in Lebanese affairs.