The Kremlin reported that Putin “expressed the motivations for Russia’s concerns in connection with U.S. plans to create a missile defense system in Central Europe. In connection with this, the U.S. president expressed his willingness to discuss this idea with Russia in detail… in the interest of mutual security.”
Gordon Johndroe, President Bush’s national security spokesman, said the two leaders “discussed the importance of continuing their dialogue on Iran, missile defense cooperation, Kosovo and other issues of mutual concern.”
The conversation comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Moscow over a range of international disputes.
Putin last month angrily accused the Washington of unilateralism and an over-reliance on force; the United States has warned increasingly of authoritarian tendencies in Russia under Putin.
Putin, according to the Kremlin, said the recent U.N. Security Council vote on a new resolution expanding sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program had sent Iran a “serious political signal of the need for cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community.” Putin also said the resolution “unambiguously rules out the use of force.”
