Russia's defense minister has warned that talks between Moscow and Washington on the U.S.-led NATO missile defense plan are "close to a dead end." AP reported. Anatoly Serdyukov said Thursday that Russia, U.S. and NATO have not succeeded in finding a "mutually acceptable" solution. His comments come as a missile defense conference kicks off in Moscow to bring together Russia and American officials to discuss the issue. The United States says the plan is aimed at deflecting potential Iranian threats. Moscow rejects Washington's claim the plan is solely to deal with any Iranian threat and has voiced fears it will eventually become powerful enough to undermine Russia's nuclear deterrent. NATO has said it wants to cooperate with Russia on the missile shield, but has rejected Moscow's proposal to run it jointly.
