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Nato leaders set for Putin talks Nato leaders set for Putin talks
(about 2 hours later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting leaders of the Nato alliance in Romania, his first and last at such a summit as Russian head of state.Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting leaders of the Nato alliance in Romania, his first and last at such a summit as Russian head of state.
The talks come after Nato accepted US plans for a missile defence shield on European soil - opposed by Russia.The talks come after Nato accepted US plans for a missile defence shield on European soil - opposed by Russia.
But it also failed to agree a blueprint for membership for Georgia and Ukraine - which Russia also opposes.But it also failed to agree a blueprint for membership for Georgia and Ukraine - which Russia also opposes.
Russia said the alliance's promise of eventual membership to its neighbours was "a huge strategic mistake".Russia said the alliance's promise of eventual membership to its neighbours was "a huge strategic mistake".
Nato held a session with Ukraine on Friday, attended by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. Mr Putin is due to meet US President George W Bush at the Russian leader's Black Sea residence in Sochi this weekend.
Nato held a session with Ukraine on Friday, where Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko sought to reassure Russia that its bid for membership was not targeted at any other country.
Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that there was "not a sliver of a doubt" that Ukraine and Georgia would join Nato before long.Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that there was "not a sliver of a doubt" that Ukraine and Georgia would join Nato before long.
Eastward expansionEastward expansion
Albania and Croatia have been invited to join the 26-member alliance, while Macedonia was told it must solve a dispute with Greece before joining. During the summit Albania and Croatia have been invited to join the 26-member alliance, while Macedonia was told it must solve a dispute with Greece before becoming a member.
Moscow is concerned by Nato's eastward expansion.Moscow is concerned by Nato's eastward expansion.
Win some, lose some for USSend us your commentsWin some, lose some for USSend us your comments
Russia's ambassador to Nato, Dmitry Rogozin, was quoted on Friday as saying that Nato allies listened to Moscow. Sergei Ryabkov, director of the Russian foreign ministry's department on European cooperation said that taking in Ukraine and Georgia would be "the biggest possible strategic error".
"It is clear that Russia's views were heard, although they were not the only thing that played a role," he told the daily Kommersant. "The Nato statement adds to the questions and concerns of the Russian side on what direction the Nato structure is evolving into," he said.
"This is an alliance that has given itself a global role without any legal limitations on use of force."
President Putin leaves office next month, though he is said to be expected to serve as prime minister under president-elect Dmitry Medvedev.President Putin leaves office next month, though he is said to be expected to serve as prime minister under president-elect Dmitry Medvedev.
At the beginning of Russia's session with Nato on Friday, Russia signed an agreement to allow the transport of non-military freight to Nato forces in Afghanistan.
But the deal does not include the movement of troops or air transits that Nato had originally requested, Reuters news agency reported.
Conciliatory gesture
The US missile defence plan accepted by Nato allies includes bases in the Czech Republic and Poland.The US missile defence plan accepted by Nato allies includes bases in the Czech Republic and Poland.
In a conciliatory gesture, Nato offered Moscow the chance to look at extending that defence to Russia itself.In a conciliatory gesture, Nato offered Moscow the chance to look at extending that defence to Russia itself.
The agreement calls for steps to be taken to deploy a parallel Nato system to defend any countries not covered by the US scheme.The agreement calls for steps to be taken to deploy a parallel Nato system to defend any countries not covered by the US scheme.
The decision was seen as a significant victory for US President George W Bush. The decision was seen as a significant victory for President Bush.
The US says it is needed to counter a potential threat from rogue states like Iran, but Moscow had expressed fears it could be used against Russia.The US says it is needed to counter a potential threat from rogue states like Iran, but Moscow had expressed fears it could be used against Russia.
The Nato agreement came as US and Czech officials announced they had reached a deal to site a missile defence radar on Czech soil, while Poland and the US resumed talks in Warsaw on locating 10 interceptor missiles in Poland.The Nato agreement came as US and Czech officials announced they had reached a deal to site a missile defence radar on Czech soil, while Poland and the US resumed talks in Warsaw on locating 10 interceptor missiles in Poland.