The visits are to ensure "a firm foundation for continuity and change in bilateral relations ... there are no problems that can be solved in a better way unless the United States and Russia work together," said US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in her meeting with Medvedev on Monday.

Commenting on US-Russia ties, Rice said they are "complex".

"The relationship is proceeding in a way that we are able to go forward in very serious cooperation and when we have differences we can talk about them in an atmosphere of mutual respect," she told a joint press conference on Tuesday.

Washington also proposed a document of strategic framework.

"We had a productive and useful discussion today. We have agreed that there should be a joint strategic framework document for the presidents to be able to record all the elements of the US-Russia relationship that are put forward in the future," Rice said.

Lavrov, however, denied an early reply on that, saying he will report to the president.

"We agreed that the work we are doing and will be doing is important to ensure continuity in Russia-US relations, especially in the period when we will see the constitutional transfer of power in both countries," said the top Russian diplomat.

Analysts believe that Russia-US relations are highly vulnerable and maybe become a victim of verbal attack from any side at any time. But common ground also exists between the former Cold War rivals.

"Ten or 15 years ago, the United States decided it was to be the only engine (of the world), and under the umbrella of the spread of liberty and democracy it would preserve its security. It did not happen. Now the United States and Russia understand that something needs to be done," said Vladimir Sizov, political expert with the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The change of presidency in each country "always opens new possibilities" for development of bilateral relations, Kremenyuk said, expecting the two states to sit down and work out a sensible agreement on bilateral ties.

However, there is still a long way to go.

"The aspiration of certain political forces to act in line with the political and psychological mindset of 'deterring' Russia has asserted itself in European policy and the CIS territories," said a report published on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website on Tuesday, warning that crises will persist in world politics, particularly in Europe.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2008)