Russia: No agreement on ABM treaty

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov says that Russia is still working with the U.S. on an anti-ballistic missile agreement, but said it is too soon to talk about signing a pact.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush in mid-November in Washington, but Ivanov said there are still a number of issues to be settled.

"It is not on the agenda right now," Ivanov told reporters. "We are conducting active work on the issues related to offensive and defence strategic weapons."

He went on to say, "There are a lot of issues that should be resolved. Therefore, it is too early to speak about such agreements."

EXTRA INFORMATION U.S. holds back on tests

Bush wants the United States to withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, left over from the Cold War. No agreement was reached between the leaders in talks last month.

In October, the United States chose not to conduct several tests of its redesigned ABM system to avoid possible criticism that it might be violating the treaty.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said the tests were seen as important after the September 11 terrorist attacks.