The United States has presented a new proposal for cooperation with Russia on a missile defense system in eastern Europe.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State John Rood says Russian officials agreed to study the offer but did not elaborate on it. He made his comments Monday in Paris after talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak on the issue.
Washington and Moscow have been at odds on the proposed system.
U.S. officials say a plan for placing 10 missile interceptors in Poland and radar monitors in the Czech Republic is aimed at a possible attack by rogue states such as Iran and North Korea.
Russia calls it a threat to its security, and says it will lead to a new arms race. Moscow has suggested the use of a former Soviet radar station in Azerbaijan as an alternative to the U.S. plan.
Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope for a compromise agreement with the United States.
Meanwhile, U.S.and Czech experts have opened two days of talks in Prague on the plans for the radar facility.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.
