U.S. draws line on issues key to Russia

WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- The United States adopted a tougher stand on two key issues days before President Obama heads to Moscow to meet with his Russian counterpart, officials said.

White House officials indicated Wednesday they don't plan to offer concessions or reassurance on a missile defense system in Europe, or limits on NATO expansion in the former Soviet Union, key matters for Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday

"We shouldn't have excessive hopes" for the Obama-Medvedev meeting next week, a senior Russian diplomat said. "Despite all this constructive atmosphere, the deeper you get into details, the more difficulties you find."

Moscow recently recognized the re-election of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, forced peacekeeping forces out of Georgia, and hinted Obama could realize his goals to reduce nuclear weapons only if he pulls back on the United States' missile defense plans for Eastern Europe, the Journal said.

In turn, White House officials signaled Wednesday said they won't budge on deployment of the anti-missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, and the possible admission of Georgia and Ukraine into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

"We're definitely not going to use the word 'reassure' in the way that we talk about these things," said Michael McFaul, senior White House director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs. "We're not going to reassure or give or trade ... anything with the Russians regarding NATO expansion or missile defense."