Portable Planet

President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet Monday in the northeastern state of Maine for discussions that are expected to focus on areas of disagreement between the two leaders.

Officials say the informal talks at the Bush family compound could include the proposed U.S. missile defense shield in Europe which the Russian leader opposes.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss Iraq, Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. support for Kosovo’s independence which Mr. Putin also opposes.

On Iran, the talks are expected to focus on U.S. objections to Russia helping Iran build some nuclear facilities.

Mr. Putin took a speedboat ride and dined on lobster after he arrived Sunday at the Bush family summer home. Former President Bush and his wife Barbara hosted the gathering.

Relations between the United States and Russia have been increasingly tense thanks in part to the U.S. war in Iraq, which Russia opposed. The U.S. also is concerned about Putin’s crackdown on public dissent and the scaling back of other democratic reforms.

Mr. Putin says the U.S. plan to build a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic is a security threat to Russia. He has threatened to aim missiles at Europe if Washington goes through with the plan.

Source: VOA