We will discuss the differences: Kerry on US-Russia relation

U.S.-Russia ties, deeply strained over Moscow's decision to grant asylum to former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden, were "marked by both shared interests and, at times, colliding and conflicting interests," he said in Washington.

"We will discuss these differences today, for certain, but this meeting remains important above and beyond the collisions and the moments of disagreement," said Kerry.

Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel are hosting their Russian counterparts Sergei Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu for about five hours of so-called "2+2" strategic and security talks.

Kerry said it is critical that the two countries be clear about differences but also seek progress on missile defense, Afghanistan, nuclear disputes withIran and North Korea and the two-year-old civil war in Syria.

While Washington and Moscow differ on key aspects of the Syria crisis, Kerry said, "both of us and our countries agree that to avoid institutional collapse and descent into chaos, the ultimate answer is a negotiated political solution."

Lavrov's opening remarks did not mention all of the global hot spots but did echo Kerry in stressing the need to get Syria's government and opposition talking in Geneva.

The talks at the State Department opened as the political mood between the two countries hit one of its lowest points since the end of the Cold War.

Moscow and Washington disagree over a long list of issues, from Syria's civil war to human rights and Russia's ban on homosexual "propaganda," but there are some areas, critical to global security, where they have been able to work together.

Lavrov, citing trade as an area of cooperation, said the Russians "want (the) economy to be way more prominent in our relations."

"We have laid a very solid foundation for future work," he said through an interpreter.