MOSCOW: Russia and the U.S. have agreed to set up a broad strategic agenda for bilateral cooperation after the change of leaders in the two countries in what appeared to be a major breakthrough in their increasingly frosty relations.

A “joint strategic framework” document Moscow and Washington plan to sign before the U.S. presidential election in November will cover, among other things, U.S. missile defence plans in Europe, a new nuclear arms accord, global nuclear terrorism and assured nuclear fuel supply to third countries.

The agreement was announced at a joint press conference in Moscow of the Russian and U.S. Foreign and Defence Ministers after their talks on Tuesday. It signals a strategic victory for Russian diplomacy on the key issue of signing a legally binding accord between Moscow and Washington on further reductions of their nuclear arsenals. Until now Washington has refused to sign any binding agreements to keep its hands free after the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty pact (START-II) expires at the end of next year.

Moscow, in turn, signalled readiness to lift its objections to U.S. plans to deploy a radar base and 10 interceptor missiles in Eastern Europe if Washington provided guarantees that they would not be aimed against Russia.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defence Secretary Robert Gates both said they were pleased with their talks in Moscow, describing them as “productive, constructive and useful.” They also met Russia’s President-elect Dmitry Medvedev and President Vladimir Putin. Ms. Rice spoke of a “positive spirit” established at the meetings.

Two-plus-two talks

The previous two-plus-two strategic talks held in Moscow in October failed with Russia rejecting U.S. proposals on missile defences as falling short of its expectations.

U.S. Secretary of Defence Robert Gates said Washington had made new proposals aimed at “confidence building” and enhancing “transparency” of U.S. anti-missile plans, but would not disclose details. The proposals are expected to include a U.S. pledge to delay activation of missile interceptors in Europe until Iranian missiles pose a credible threat to Europe and allow Russia to deploy its officers at the U.S. missile base.