Russia has expressed willingness to work to save the landmark Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty despite numerous problem.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said this after fresh talks between US and Russian officials in Geneva today to salvage the INF.

He hoped that Washington will take a responsible approach to save a crucial arms control treaty, calling on Europe to help in faltering talks.

Washington has threatened to pull out of the 1987 pact within sixty days, alleging that a new Russian missile violates the treaty which Moscow denies.

INF bans either side from stationing short and intermediate-range, land-based missiles in Europe.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said Moscow and Tokyo are still far from being partners despite renewed efforts to resolve a decades-old conflict over disputed islands.

Speaking at a conference in Moscow, he said President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are to meet in Moscow next week for talks on four strategic islands seized by the Soviet army in the final days of World War II.

The two leaders agreed last year to increase efforts to finally sign a treaty ending World War II-era hostilities.