  |
|
 |
|
|
|
Bush Gets Promises From Russia, No Deal Yet on Missile Shield Catherine Dodge and Roger Runningen President George W. Bush went to Russia looking for a deal on missile defense. He left with less: a ``framework agreement'' on principles for the Russia-U.S. relationship and a promise that the Russians will keep talking once President Vladimir Putin's successor takes office. ``We've got work to do, but we've come a long way from our first discussions,'' Bush said at a news conference yesterday with Putin at the Black Sea resort of Sochi. ``I happen to believe it's a significant breakthrough simply because I've been involved in this issue and know how far it's come.'' The two leaders also signed a strategic framework for their successors to guide relations on security, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism and economic issues.
Bush and Putin are grappling with suspicions and strained relations that have developed over the anti-missile plan and expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO leaders agreed at their summit in Bucharest this week to invite Croatia and Albania to join. While declining to put Ukraine and Georgia on a fast track to membership, which would further Bush's goal of extending the military alliance into the former Soviet heartland, it vowed to let them in eventually. Bush and Putin praised each other in their final official meeting as presidents and said they'd work to reach common ground. `Not Always Easy' ``This dialogue is not always easy between our two countries,'' Putin said, but ``the search for common denominators'' continues. Putin said he and Bush ``have sought to find new horizons for our cooperation.'' Bush said the signing of the strategic document shows ``the breadth and depth of our cooperation.''
|
||||
