WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ final visit to Russia as a member of President Barack Obama’s Cabinet comes as the military powers struggle to find common ground on a missile defense shield in Europe.
Gates pushed back his departure to today, a day later than planned, to remain in Washington and keep tabs on the developing situation in Libya, where the U.S. and its allies began military operations to enforce a U.N. no-fly zone.
Russia helped open the door for action by not blocking the U.N. Security Council resolution — a move that defense officials said reflected the broader spirit of cooperation between the nations.
It will be Gates’ first trip to Russia since the Obama administration pledged two years ago to hit the “reset button” on relations with Moscow. The defense chief has said he will retire this year.
Spokesman Geoff Morrell said that unlike Gates’ previous three visits to Russia as defense chief, this one will not be dominated by missile defense debate or the START treaty.
Meetings with Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and President Dmitry Medvedev are likely also to address the uprisings in the Middle East, proposals to expand Moscow’s assistance in Afghanistan, regional security concerns and ongoing efforts in military reform.
