U.S., Russia Talks Stall Over Missile Shield

MOSCOW — Russia had a short answer yesterday for President Bush's top national security advisers who came to ask for detente in the simmering argument over a planned American missile shield at Russia's doorstep. "Nyet." Or maybe, "Not yet."

America and Russia got no closer to settling their public differences over American plans that Russia sees as a potential threat and a turf battle over influence in nations once under the Soviet thumb.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia said he will take a closer look at American proposals meant to allay Russian fears, but added that the best way to end the disagreement would be to scrap the plan for placing missile interceptors in Poland and a tracking radar in the Czech Republic.

"We've leaned very far forward in this in an effort to provide reassurance," but America plans to go ahead, Defense Secretary Gates said following two days of talks with President Putin and other Russian officials.