U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is meeting Tuesday with Russian leaders for talks that are expected to include the military action in Libya.
Gates is set to meet with President Dmitry Medvedev and Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov in Moscow. His visit to Russia is not expected to include talks with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is traveling.
The two sides will also hold talks on military and technical cooperation, including U.S. plans for a missile defense in Europe. Russia has opposed the plan, saying it jeopardizes its own security. Washington says the system of radar stations and missile interceptors would guard Europe against potential attacks from Iran, and is working to gain Moscow's support.
On Monday, Gates called for further cooperation between the United States and Russia, especially in combating terrorism.
The U.S. defense chief addressed students of the Kuznetsov Navy Academy during a visit to the Russian city of St. Petersburg. He said the biggest common threats that both Russia and the United States face today are terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. He praised Russia's support in the war in Afghanistan and urged the country to take part in other international missions.
Moscow has criticized the U.N. resolution on imposing a no-fly zone over Libya, but abstained from a Security Council vote that allowed the measure to go forward.
Gates is making his final visit to Russia as secretary of defense. The former CIA director, who spent years gathering intelligence on the Soviet Union during the Cold War, plans to step down from his post later this year.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.