US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are greeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) upon their arrival at the Kremlin in Moscow March 17, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) 

Russia's outgoing President Vladimir Putin and his successor, President-elect Dmitry Medvedev met on Monday with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in the Kremlin, expecting for development in bilateral ties amid disputes on proposed missile shield.

"There is every opportunity for (development in bilateral ties)," Medvedev said, noting he believed it is necessary "to create a foundation for the continuity of Russian-US relations in the near future."