Lithuania Holds Up NATO-Russia Re-Engagement

A senior U.S. official told reporters Lithuania wanted to have more discussions at an April 3-4 NATO summit.

Lithuania was holding up an agreement between NATO allies on resuming formal ties with Russia on Thursday, but NATO ministers expressed confidence a deal would be reached later in the day.

A senior U.S. official told reporters Lithuania wanted to have more discussions at an April 3-4 NATO summit while other governments thought it was not a good idea to hold back despite doubts about Russia.

"We have a lively discussion," Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg told reporters after a first session of talks at a NATO meeting in Brussels. "I am confident we will find an agreement." His comments were echoed by Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere.