Bush and Putin sign agreement on US-Russian relations
The two leaders were unable to reach an agreement on US plans for a missile defence shield in Europe
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Sunday, 06, Apr 2008 11:18
US president George Bush and Russian president Vladimir Putin have signed a framework agreement on US-Russian relations.
The document aims to set the tone for future relations between the former Cold War rivals as the heads of state of both countries are expected to step down soon. However, no such agreement was reached on the controversial US defence shield programme in Eastern Europe.
Mr Putin said he was "cautiously optimistic" about reaching an agreement on the plan to base facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic to detect and shoot down missiles, which the US fears could be launched by Iran.
However, the Russian head of state said he was glad that president Bush was willing to hear his concerns about the programme, which he fears is directed at Russia.
He told reporters: "I want to be understood correctly. Strategically, no change happened in our attitude to US plans.
"At the same time there are some positive developments. Our concerns were finally heard by the US side."
The American leader also held talks with incoming president Dmitry Medvedev whom he described as a "straight-forward fellow" whom he looked forward to working with in the future.
The meeting between the two leaders at the Black Sea resort of Sochi is seen as being their last as heads of state. Mr Putin is expected to take over the role of prime minister in a month in order to make way for president-elect Medvedev. His American counterpart will step down from the presidency after the US holds elections this November