Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss with NATO leaders such topics as missile defense, arms control and Kosovo during a meeting slated for Friday in Romania, said a senior Kremlin official Thursday.
NATO's expansion, which Moscow objected to, will also be raised in the meetings, RIA Novosti news agency cited presidential aid Sergei Prikhodko.
"NATO's claims to a global security role, to activities outside its geographical zone of responsibility and traditional spheres, including in energy and cyber security, and unclear criteria for the use of force and relations with the UN Security Council, have added a great deal of unpredictability to our cooperation," Prikhodko was quoted as saying.
NATO's expansion and Washington's plans to deploy missile defense components in Central Europe namely missile interceptors in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic, have dampened Russia-U.S. ties to a post-Cold War low.
Putin and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush are expected to meet on the sidelines of the NATO summit at the Russian leader's Black Sea villa over the weekend to discuss bilateral ties and those hot issues as well. Source: Xinhua
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