"We are at an intermediary stage," Ivanov said in an interview with Russian media.

"Rapprochement is an evolutionary process that cannot be started suddenly and completed a week later," he said.

"We need time and a constructive approach," Ivanov continued, stressing what he called the immense role played by both Russia's President Vladimir Putin and US President George W. Bush.

The Russian said common dangers, including "terrorism" and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, were pushing the two countries closer to each other.

Russia, with France and Germany, opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq last year.

Asked about his relations with Rumsfeld, Ivanov called them "good, informal, man-to-man," describing Rumsfeld as a man with a sense of humour and a "charismatic personality."

On Russia's relations with NATO, the Russian defence minister said these had in recent years "developed in a largely positive and steady way...without useless euphoria."

Russian and NATO warships would participate next month in joint patrols in the eastern Mediterranean as part of efforts to fight the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, clandestine immigration and drug-trafficking, he noted.

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