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Bush and Putin in farewell talks Bush and Putin in farewell talks
(about 1 hour later)
US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin are holding their final talks, with thorny security issues on the agenda.US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin are holding their final talks, with thorny security issues on the agenda.
The meeting, in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, comes a month before Mr Putin is due to leave office.The meeting, in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, comes a month before Mr Putin is due to leave office.
The two leaders are likely to sign a "strategic framework" on future relations between their countries. Russian President-elect Dmitry Medvedev also met Mr Bush, saying he hoped to continue advancing Russia-US relations.
But they are not expected to clinch agreement on the proposed US missile defence system in Europe. Mr Bush and Mr Putin are likely to sign a "strategic framework" on future relations between their countries.
They are not expected to clinch agreement on the proposed US missile defence system in Europe.
However, Washington says it hopes Moscow will acknowledge US concessions aimed at easing its concerns.However, Washington says it hopes Moscow will acknowledge US concessions aimed at easing its concerns.
On the issue of Nato expansion, Russia maintains that US plans to include Ukraine and Georgia will be viewed as a direct threat.On the issue of Nato expansion, Russia maintains that US plans to include Ukraine and Georgia will be viewed as a direct threat.
Mr Bush is also meeting Dmitry Medvedev, who takes over from Mr Putin as president next month. 'Not afraid'
Correspondents say it will give him a chance to see how much power Mr Putin will continue to wield when he becomes prime minister.
Romania summit
Although differences remain, the summit began cordially, with the leaders joining a folk dance during dinner on Saturday evening at Mr Putin's holiday home.Although differences remain, the summit began cordially, with the leaders joining a folk dance during dinner on Saturday evening at Mr Putin's holiday home.
When all is said and done, we'll shake hands - you've been a strong leader President BushWhen all is said and done, we'll shake hands - you've been a strong leader President Bush
And the following morning they met at a guest house in the presidential compound.And the following morning they met at a guest house in the presidential compound.
Mr Bush said as they exchanged pleasantries that the meeting would be "interesting".Mr Bush said as they exchanged pleasantries that the meeting would be "interesting".
"You're not afraid to tell me what's on your mind," he said, quoted by the Associated Press."You're not afraid to tell me what's on your mind," he said, quoted by the Associated Press.
"When all is said and done, we'll shake hands. You've been a strong leader.""When all is said and done, we'll shake hands. You've been a strong leader."
Mr Bush held separate talks with Mr Medvedev, who takes over as Russian president next month.
The president-elect said he wanted to carry on the work done by Mr Bush and Mr Putin to advance bilateral relations, which he described as a "key factor in international security".
Correspondents say the meeting will have given Mr Bush a chance to see how much power Mr Putin will continue to wield when he becomes prime minister.
Romania summit
Russia has strongly criticised US proposals to site a missile defence system in Eastern Europe, which would see interceptor missiles based in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic.Russia has strongly criticised US proposals to site a missile defence system in Eastern Europe, which would see interceptor missiles based in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic.
Their meeting follows a Nato summit in Romania where Mr Putin - a guest at the Bucharest gathering - warned against the Western military alliance's eastward expansion.Their meeting follows a Nato summit in Romania where Mr Putin - a guest at the Bucharest gathering - warned against the Western military alliance's eastward expansion.
The summit also saw Nato countries agreeing to back the US missile plans during the Romanian summit.The summit also saw Nato countries agreeing to back the US missile plans during the Romanian summit.
Georgia and Ukraine are seeking to become members of the alliance, but were not offered a fast-track "Membership Action Plan" at the summit.Georgia and Ukraine are seeking to become members of the alliance, but were not offered a fast-track "Membership Action Plan" at the summit.
The alliance has, however, left open the option of taking in the two countries.The alliance has, however, left open the option of taking in the two countries.