US: missile spat with Russia will be worked out

WASHINGTON — A State Department official expressed confidence Tuesday that Russian objections to any U.S. missile defense system in eastern Europe will not impede arms reduction talks.

Russia says it is ready for deep cuts in nuclear weapons if the U.S. eases Moscow's concerns about the missile shields. The United States says the two issues are separate.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters that he believed the United States and Russia will be able to settle their differences.

Russia on Tuesday made clear it expected the U.S. to accept its position. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a security meeting in Vienna that arms reduction and missile defense are linked, "and both parties recognize it."

President Barack Obama has delayed previous plans by the Bush administration to build a small missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic, with the aim of intercepting missiles from Iran targeted at the West. Russia prefers that the U.S. scrap the system altogether.

The countries are working to replace the expiring Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty that significantly cut American and Russian nuclear arsenals.

The U.S. and Russia are hoping for progress on START talks by the time Obama visits Moscow in July.