Putin arrives in US for talks with Bush

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Source: CCTV.com | 07-02-2007 09:42

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) waves alongside his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin (C) as Putin is welcomed to Bush's family home in Kennebunkport, Maine, July 1, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in the US for a two-day meeting with his US counterpart George W. Bush. The two leaders met at the Bush compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. Both sides are hoping to ease increasingly tense relations between the two sides.

No other world leader has received such an invitation from George W. Bush to meet at his summer family home in Kennebunkport, Maine.

During his two-day visit, Putin and Bush are expected to talk about Middle East issues, Iran's nuclear ambitions, the future of Kosovo and a civilian nuclear reactor cooperation initiative.

Topping the summit's agenda a U.S. plan to deploy an anti-missile system in Central Europe. The scheme faces fierce opposition from Moscow.

Washington insists the shield is designed to intercept missiles fired against the US from the Middle East. Russia strongly opposes the system, saying it threatens the security of Russia.