U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Russia on Monday seeking to patch up a relationship so strained by differences over Kosovo and missile defense that some have warned of a new Cold War.

Russian officials say they are preparing for calm and positive talks with Rice on her two-day visit, in marked contrast to the shrill tone of exchanges between Moscow and Washington in the past few months.

But Moscow -- flush with oil money and once again flexing its muscles as a world power just as Washington is mired in Iraq -- warned that it would not be dictated to by its U.S. visitor.

"We always call on our American partners to talk frankly and not try to force their point of view on others," said Mikhail Kamynin, chief spokesman for the Russian foreign ministry.

"What we need is not briefings but joint work and a joint search for solutions."

Rice is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other officials, Reuters reports.