Russia, U.S. still need breakthrough in relations - Lavrov

MOSCOW, November 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and the United States have yet to overcome the stagnation in bilateral relations that began under the previous U.S. administration, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.

"Both presidents, [Barack] Obama and [Dmitry] Medvedev absolutely agree that we must overcome the stagnation between Moscow and Washington that was witnessed under the Bush administration, when good personal relations failed to transform into a real partnership," Lavrov said in an interview broadcast on Vesti TV.

Obama announced plans to 'reset' relations with Russia soon after he assumed office in the White House early this year. Relations with the administration of George W. Bush had been strained over a series of disputes, including Washington's plans to deploy a missile shield in Central Europe and Russia's armed conflict with Georgia in August 2008.

Under the Obama administration, Russia and the U.S. have been seeking working to conclude a new pact to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, START I, which expires in December. The United States has also scrapped plans for ground-based long-range missile interceptors in Central Europe, although questions remain over the modified plans.

Lavrov also said that while building new partnership relations with the U.S., Russia "clearly senses the aspirations of Barack Obama and his team to bring to life the goals that were announced during the U.S. president's election campaign and the goals he outlined at meetings with our president in London, Moscow and on the sidelines of the G20 summits."