April 7 (Bloomberg) -- 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.''
``We spent a lot of time in our relationship trying to get rid of the Cold War,'' Bush said. ``We worked very hard over the past few years to find areas where we can work together.''
The U.S. says the missile system is needed to intercept attacks from rogue regimes in the Middle East, such as Iran, and isn't aimed at Russia. Russia fears the system will upset the balance of power in Europe and risk a new arms race.
``Our fundamental attitude to the American plans have not changed, however, certain progress is obvious,'' Putin said.
``We've got more work to do to convince the Russian side that the system is not aimed at Russia,'' Bush said.
`Equal Partners'
The framework agreement said both sides ``expressed their interest in creating a system'' to prevent missile threats and Russia, Europe and the U.S. would participate ``as equal partners.''
Still, Putin is giving preference to ``a global defense'' system against potential adversaries compared with the U.S- backed regional system.
The Bush administration wants to install a radar base in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland. The U.S. and the Czech Republic completed negotiations and announced on April 3 that they would soon sign an agreement.
Negotiations are continuing on a U.S. offer to give Russian inspectors access to the sites and delay making the system operational until Iran has missiles that can reach Europe.
Putin said that Russia wants its inspectors to be granted ``permanent'' access to the facilities.
``I have cautious optimism'' about a deal, he said. ``I believe this is possible, but the devil is in the detail.''
Both leaders are seeking to polish their legacies as they prepare to hand over power.
`Up Note'
``In light of the fact that they are both ready to pass the baton on, they would rather leave on an up note rather than a sense of estrangement,'' said Charles Kupchan, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University in Washington.
Stephen Hadley, national security adviser to Bush, said it didn't matter that no deal was completed.
``They can leave that to their prospective successors,'' he told reporters on Air Force One as Bush returned home yesterday.
Bush conferred separately with Putin's successor, Dmitry Medvedev, who will be sworn in May 7. Putin will remain on the scene as prime minister. Bush will leave office in January after U.S. voters go to the polls in November.
``He seemed like a straightforward fellow; someone to tell you what's on his mind,'' Bush said of Medvedev. ``I was impressed.''
``My guess is that these two men who have worked very closely together now for two decades will continue to do so. That is a good thing, not a bad thing,'' Hadley said in commenting on Putin and Medvedev.
Bush wrapped up a four-country, seven-day trip, which included the April 2-4 NATO summit and stops in Ukraine and Croatia. He returned to Washington yesterday afternoon.
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