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Putin optimistic about US issues Putin optimistic about US issues
(about 2 hours later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin says a number of problems can be resolved in relations between Russia and the US.Russian President Vladimir Putin says a number of problems can be resolved in relations between Russia and the US.
Mr Putin said he had received a letter from President George W Bush, which he described as "a serious document".Mr Putin said he had received a letter from President George W Bush, which he described as "a serious document".
He did not specify, but relations have soured recently over US plans to base parts of a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic. He did not specify further, but relations have soured recently over US plans to base missile defence elements in Poland and the Czech Republic.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defence Secretary Robert Gates are currently in Russia for talks. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, who is visiting Russia, expressed hope that the issue could be resolved.
"It is a serious document which we have carefully analysed," said Mr Putin at the start of a meeting with Ms Rice and Mr Gates. Mr Gates, who is in Moscow with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, was asked by reporters whether the missile defence issue could be settled before the end of President Bush's term in office - in January 2009.
"If we manage to agree on its main provisions, we will be able to say that our dialogue is progressing successfully." "I think the answer is yes", he said. "But I would also say the environment in our meetings was positive today. Whether that leads to a positive conclusion remains to be seen."
Mr Putin, who steps down next month, added that there were "enough problems" to discuss but that some issues could be considered resolved. Hopes for progress
Focus Mr Gates was speaking after talks with the President-elect Dmitry Medvedev and Mr Putin.
Earlier, Mr Putin called the letter from President Bush "a serious document which we have carefully analysed."
How defence system works
"If we manage to agree on its main provisions, we will be able to say that our dialogue is progressing successfully," he added.
Mr Putin, who steps down next month, said there were "enough problems" to discuss but that some issues could be considered resolved.
He gave no further details. But a Pentagon official travelling with Mr Gates was quoted by Reuters as saying the letter focused on what the American delegation wanted to discuss in Moscow.He gave no further details. But a Pentagon official travelling with Mr Gates was quoted by Reuters as saying the letter focused on what the American delegation wanted to discuss in Moscow.
"Frankly, unless they were willing to focus on those issues, it was probably not worth us doing the trip," he said. 'Move forward'
Russia's President-elect, Dmitry Medvedev, has meanwhile expressed confidence that Moscow and Washington will be able to bring their positions closer on the US missile defence plans. Mr Gates' upbeat tone on the missile defence question was echoed by Mr Medvedev.
"There is a will to move forward," Dmitry Medvedev said after meeting Ms Rice and Mr Gates. But he conceded that differences still remained. "There is a will to move forward," he said after meeting Ms Rice and Mr Gates. But he conceded that differences still remained.
Russia strongly objects to the US missile defence plan, but Washington says its missile shield will protect the US against attacks from "rogue" states.Russia strongly objects to the US missile defence plan, but Washington says its missile shield will protect the US against attacks from "rogue" states.
How defence system works
Speaking to reporters earlier, during his flight to Moscow, Mr Gates said he expected Russia to respond to earlier US proposals on the issue, including one offering Moscow access to missile shield sites.
"We've put a lot on the table and now it's time for them [the Russians] to reciprocate," Mr Gates said.
Ill-tempered
"At some point the Russians are going to have to decide whether they want to be true partners, which we are offering, or whether this is just all a sham game on their part to stall the whole deal."
But Mr Gates also talked down chances of a major breakthrough during the visit.
The talks in Moscow come just days after an ill-tempered verbal exchange between the two former Cold War foes.The talks in Moscow come just days after an ill-tempered verbal exchange between the two former Cold War foes.
Last week, a US state department document highlighted reports of widespread human rights abuses in Russia.Last week, a US state department document highlighted reports of widespread human rights abuses in Russia.
The Kremlin dismissed it as a "hackneyed collection of claims," and accused Washington of "double standards".The Kremlin dismissed it as a "hackneyed collection of claims," and accused Washington of "double standards".