Russia, US officials shift to softer stance in talks

Moscow, Feb 22: Top US and Russian security officials sought to strike a more conciliatory tone in talks today after months of growing tensions between Washington and Moscow.

US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, in Moscow for talks with Russian Security Council head Igor Ivanov, said the two nations were aware of the problems in their relations and were keen to overcome them.

''When we have disagreements we are able to talk candidly about them and ... work together constructively,'' a smiling Hadley told Ivanov during the talks at the Kremlin.

Relations between Moscow and Washington hit a new low earlier this month when Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of seeking to dominate the world.

In return, Washington has criticised Putin for using Russia's vast oil and gas reserves to bully its neighbours and backslide on democracy.

Hadley and Ivanov stopped short of listing what they saw as problems and focused on the need to remove them.

''It does not mean that our relations are cloudless. We have disagreements and misunderstandings, including in the sphere of security,'' Ivanov said.

''That is why it is important that our dialogue stays active and continues to develop which would allow us to remove these questions and avoid harming our bilateral relations.''

Reuters