This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7332984.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
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. |
Russian President-elect Dmitry Medvedev also met Mr Bush, saying he hoped to continue advancing Russia-US relations. | |
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. |
'Not afraid' | |
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 Bush | When 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. |