Washington set on serious conversation with Moscow on missile defense - McFaul

MOSCOW. March 11 (Interfax) - This year the United States and Russia should have a serious discussion on missile defense, U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul said.

We expect that it will be a serious conversation, he said on Ekho Moskvy radio on Thursday.

In his opinion, the issue of missile defense came to a halt during the election campaigns in the two countries, but now he expects change in this sphere.

You know, I am an optimist, he said.

Asked whether missile defense consultations would be held at the expert or diplomatic level, he said that at both levels.