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'Some progress' in Russia-US ties | 'Some progress' in Russia-US ties |
(10 minutes later) | |
US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin have signed a framework agreement but said they had made no breakthrough on differences. | US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin have signed a framework agreement but said they had made no breakthrough on differences. |
Mr Putin said Russia remained opposed to US missile defence plans in Europe, but there were "positive developments". | Mr Putin said Russia remained opposed to US missile defence plans in Europe, but there were "positive developments". |
Mr Bush said there was still work to do to persuade Moscow that the system was not aimed at Russia. | Mr Bush said there was still work to do to persuade Moscow that the system was not aimed at Russia. |
Their farewell meeting, in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, came a month before Mr Putin was due to stand down. | Their farewell meeting, in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, came a month before Mr Putin was due to stand down. |
Russian President-elect Dmitry Medvedev also met Mr Bush, saying he hoped to continue advancing Russia-US relations. | Russian President-elect Dmitry Medvedev also met Mr Bush, saying he hoped to continue advancing Russia-US relations. |
'Strategic vision' | 'Strategic vision' |
At a news conference after the talks, the two leaders said they had agreed to intensify their dialogue. | At a news conference after the talks, the two leaders said they had agreed to intensify their dialogue. |
I have a cautious optimism about agreement President Putin | I have a cautious optimism about agreement President Putin |
"We agreed today that the United States and Russia want to create a system for responding to potential missile threats in which Russia and the United States and Europe will participate as equal partners," Mr Bush said. | "We agreed today that the United States and Russia want to create a system for responding to potential missile threats in which Russia and the United States and Europe will participate as equal partners," Mr Bush said. |
"This is a powerful and important strategic vision." | "This is a powerful and important strategic vision." |
Measures to ensure transparency and confidence-building would address Russian concerns, he added. | Measures to ensure transparency and confidence-building would address Russian concerns, he added. |
Mr Bush said he supported Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization, and favoured removing the Jackson-Vanik amendment, tying trade relations to human rights issues. | Mr Bush said he supported Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization, and favoured removing the Jackson-Vanik amendment, tying trade relations to human rights issues. |
Mr Putin said he welcomed US willingness to hear and discuss Russian questions about missile defence. | Mr Putin said he welcomed US willingness to hear and discuss Russian questions about missile defence. |
"I have a cautious optimism about agreement," he said. | "I have a cautious optimism about agreement," he said. |
"The devil is as usual in the detail. It is important that our experts agreed what confidence-building measures there will be and how they will be carried out in reality." | "The devil is as usual in the detail. It is important that our experts agreed what confidence-building measures there will be and how they will be carried out in reality." |
'Not afraid' | 'Not afraid' |
The summit began cordially, with the leaders joining a folk dance during dinner on Saturday evening at Mr Putin's holiday home. | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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. |
Mr Bush described the president-elect as a "straightforward fellow". | |
"I was impressed and look forward to working with him," he said. | |
Expansion | 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. | 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. |
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. |
The two countries are seeking to become members of the alliance, but were not offered a fast-track "Membership Action Plan" at the summit. | The two countries 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 them in. | The alliance has, however, left open the option of taking them in. |