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WASHINGTON: US officials gave an intelligence briefing for a Russian delegation on the threats the United States believes justify building a missile defence system in Europe.
Military and political officials from both sides discussed proposals for cooperation on an issue that has become the greatest source of tension in deteriorating US-Russian relations.
US Assistant Secretary of State John Rood, who led the talks on Tuesday, said Russia recently accepted a US invitation to view US missile interceptors at a base in Alaska. The invitation and
Tuesday's briefing were intended to answer Russian concerns about US missile defence plans.
"I think there is a significantly better understanding on the Russian side about why we are pursuing a missile defence capability," Rood said after the presentation.
The United States has rejected Russian assertions that US plans to build a radar system in the Czech Republic and station interceptors in Poland pose a threat to Russia's nuclear deterrent.
The US has said the system is aimed at countering missile threats from Iran and North Korea.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak along with Russian military and intelligence officials also briefed the United States on details of an alternative proposal first made by Russian
President Vladimir Putin in June.
Russia has suggested that the United States share the use of a mammoth Russian-leased radar installation in Azerbaijan and a second radar in southern Russia, aimed south toward Iran, for an
early warning system.
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