Russia Still Against US Missile Defence Shield
Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush have signed a skeletal agreement, but, said the US and Russia Presidents, have failed to achieve a significant resolution of their differences.
Putin asserted that his country was still against the controversial US plans to site elements of a Missile Defence Shield in Europe, but did speak of some "positive developments."
Bush, meanwhile, highlighted how Russia's stance on the shield's philosophy still needed to be overcome.
The pair's farewell meeting took place on the 5th April, soon after the conclusion of a pivotal NATO summit, and around a month prior to Putin's due exit from his Presidential position.
"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 told the media.
"This is a powerful and important strategic vision."
Putin stated that he was receptive to the US' willingness to listen to and talk over Russia's feelings on the shield.
"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."
NATO Expansion
At the NATO meeting, Putin expressed his feelings over the alliance's expansion to the east. At the same event, NATO member states pledged their support for the missile shield.
The shield's European elements would include missile interceptors based in Poland, and radar facilities in the Czech Republic.
Responding to the question of whether the US and Russia might forge a deal on the shield prior to Mr Bush's term in office having ended, Stephen Hadley, National Security Advisor, stated:
"I don't think that matters. What matters is that the two presidents have reached an agreement to set our two countries on the path for cooperation here.
"And they can leave that to their respective successors."
Source - Armed Forces International's US Correspondent
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