WASHINGTON — Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday that missile defense remains the biggest irritant in Russian-U.S. relations.
At an event at the Russian Embassy in Washington, Lavrov said Russian military planners fear that European missile defense plans by President Barack Obama's administration could undermine Russian security.
He said missile defense would be the top issue in talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday. He also expected to discuss Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization this year.
Lavrov expressed some frustration that the process has taken so long. "We are nearing a moment of truth and it would be very unfortunate if the truth would be negative," he said.
(AP)
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