REYKJAVÍK: The US and Russian foreign ministers sought on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) to ease tensions in their first meeting since President Joe Biden took office, saying they were ready to cooperate but issuing firm warnings reflecting the wide gulf between the rival powers.

Despite the many 'differences,' 'our view is that if the leaders of Russia and the United States can work together cooperatively... the world can be a safer and more secure place,' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the start of talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Reykjavík, aimed in part at confirming a potential summit between Presidents Biden and Vladimir Putin.