(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-17 11:48

WASHINGTON -- US Defense Secretary Robert Gates left Sunday night for Moscow, where he will meet for the first time Russian President-elect, Dmitry Medvedev, among other senior officials.

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaks to reporters aboard his plane enroute to Moscow March 16, 2008. [Agencies]

According to the defense department, Gates would also meet President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is also departing for Moscow on a separate trip and she is expected to join Gates in the two-day visit Monday and Tuesday.

The White House said last week that President George W. Bush sent the two senior officials for talks with their Russian counterparts on a planned US missile shield in central Europe and other issues of mutual concern.

"The agenda will cover a broad range of bilateral strategic issues, including missile defense, post start arrangements, cooperation on non-proliferation as well as counter-terrorism," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

The United States plans to base missile interceptors in Poland and radar units in the Czech Republic as part of the efforts to extend its missile defense system to Europe.

Russia has strongly opposed the plan, saying it poses a threat to its security, while Washington said the system is targeting forces in the Middle East that are seeking weapons of mass destruction.