MOSCOW - US OFFICIALS are holding talks with Russia on the divisive subject of missile defense and on other arms and security issues.

The talks in Moscow could be the last round of negotiations during the administration of President George W. Bush on US plans for a European missile shield.

The US says the installations in Poland and the Czech Republic would counter a potential threat from Iran. Russia claims the real aim is to weaken its nuclear deterrent.

Russia is already pressuring the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama to scrap the plans and has threatened to deploy missiles near the Polish border.

Monday's talks were also to address efforts to negotiate a follow-on deal to the 1991 START nuclear arms agreement, which expires in a year. -- AP