Putin, Bush disagree on missile shield

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-07-2008 09:26

The Presidents of Russia and United States have failed to reach an agreement on a US-proposed missile defense plan in Eastern Europe.

US President George W. Bush (L) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin meet during a visit to Putin's Black  Sea summer retreat, Bocharov Ruchey, in Sochi, Russia, April 6, 2008. Bush and Putinfailed to reach an  agreement on Sunday on a U.S.-proposed missile defense plan in Central Europe. [Agencies]

But Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush did agree to institute a framework for bilateral ties.

During talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin and Bush signed a declaration expressing their readiness to search for a compromise on the missile shield.

The US plan has helped drive ties between the countries to a post-Cold War low.

Vladimir Putin, Russian President, said, "We haven't solved all the problems connected to the missile defence shield and the third positioning region in Europe, but I have already said it and today we once again saw that our American partners not only see that we have problems with their plans but we are sincerely trying to resolve them."

US President Bush says Russia appreciates the confidence-building measures proposed by Washington on the plans.

However, Putin is urging Washington to do more and focus on how to implement confidence-building and transparency measures. The outgoing Russian President says he's glad Russia's concerns were heard by the US.

US President George W. Bush meets Russian president -elect Dmitry Medvedev at the presidential summer  retreat in Sochi, Russia April 6, 2008. [Agencies]

Moscow worries the proposed missile shield will threaten its national security. Washington says it's aimed at potential missile threat from the Middle East---not Russia.

Bush says the US will convince Russia that it is not a threat.

George W. Bush, US President, said, "One of the concerns, from the Russian side, is the concern that if they believe the system is aimed at them they are going to obviously do something about it, they will spend money to avoid the system. And I view this as defensive, not offensive."

Bush also met Russia's President-elect Dmitry Medvedev.

Bush says he's looking forward to working with Medvedev after his inauguration in May.