MOSCOW. May 3 (Interfax) - Washington expects Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin to be more flexible on missile defense matters, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs Madelyn Creedon said at an international conference on Missile Defense Factor in Establishing New Security Environment in Moscow on Thursday.
Asked whether U.S. and Russia could somehow bring their positions on missile defense closer together during Putin's presidency, Creedon said that, while Putin has not yet been sworn in as president, the U.S. hopes such progress could be made during his presidency.
Touching on an upcoming Russian-U.S. summit, Creedon said the presidents are expected to discuss a broad range of issues, including missile defense.
U.S. President Barack Obama reaffirmed at a meeting with his Russian counterpart in Seoul that the two countries should continue working together on this matter, and experts from the two countries should also continue their work, because this is very important to both countries, Creedon said.