Just one day after NATO members agreed to resume formal talks with Russia, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet on Friday with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Geneva, Switzerland in an effort to reset the relationship.

The move again signals the willingness of both sides to mend their stalemated relations. It is believed that less rivalry but more dialogue will dominate U.S.-Russia relations in the future. But tough questions still lie ahead for the pair.

Relations between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated to a post-Cold War low due to the missile defense plans of the U.S., Russia's brief war with Georgia last August, and NATO's eastward expansion.

Tensions have eased since Barack Obama was sworn in as U.S. President in January.

In the first major foreign policy address by the Obama administration in Munich last month, Vice President Joe Biden delivered a strong signal to mend relations with Russia, saying "it's time to press the reset button," which was welcomed by the Kremlin.

On Tuesday, Obama stressed that Washington needs to "reset and reboot" the U.S.-Russia relationship.

"My hope is that we can have a constructive relationship where, based on common respect and mutual interest, we can move forward," he said.

Of similar view, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said "it is important, because we want good relations with the USA, it was always our posture. I hope that the positive signals we're receiving from Washington will translate into agreements."

In reference to U.S.-Russia relations, geo-political strategist, Zbigniew Brzezinski, has said that Washington needs to "introduce" Russia into a system dominated by the United States and its European allies so that it could play a constructive role instead of posing potential threats.

On Thursday, Clinton said that Washington and Moscow "can and must cooperate" on non-proliferation, arms control, anti-terrorism, and anti-piracy efforts, and in other areas.

"Dialogue with Russia has the potential of easing tensions and solving problems," she said.

A significant move by Obama was that he offered a deal with Russia on Iran's weapons program.

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Obama sent a letter to Medvedev three weeks ago, offering a secret deal suggesting Washington would not need to proceed with the anti-missile systems in Eastern Europe, if Moscow helps stop Iran from developing nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles.

However, the Kremlin dismissed Obama's idea that was seeking a trade-off between Iran and missile defense. Medvedev said on Tuesday that Russia would not be involved in any deal to dissuade the United States from installing the system near its borders.

The contentious issue of missile defense remains the biggest challenge to bilateral relations. Analysts have cautioned that improper management of it might trigger another "Cuban missile crisis" in post-Cold War time.

Other issues concerning Afghanistan, Georgia and Ukraine also pose challenges to U.S.-Russia relations.

Medvedev said his country was keen to continue its role in the fight against extremism and in increasing cooperation with Western countries.

The United States needs Russian help in providing alternative supply routes as the Pentagon is considering plans to nearly double the size of its military presence in Afghanistan.

As far as Georgia and Ukraine are concerned, Clinton has reiterated Washington's support for and "firm commitment" to Georgia and Ukraine to move toward NATO membership, stressing that "we support the rights of sovereign nations to make their own decisions."

However, Russia is concerned that NATO is trying to bring Ukraine and Georgia into the military bloc.

It is obviously not easy for Russia to change its position on these issues as Washington is trying to bridge divisions and seek cooperation.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said that if the Obama administration changes its policies toward Russia, Moscow will quickly respond.

Clinton said "we pursue it with our eyes wide open," which carries a foreshadow of political wrestling ahead between the pair.

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2009)