| The two "soul brothers" had their last get | | | | its backyard, an enlargement that Bush has |
| together- that would be George Bush and | | | | actively championed over Putin's vocal |
| Vladimir Putin. In their last buddy to buddy | | | | objections. |
| meeting with pictures of them standing | | | | |
| looking at the setting sun, they failed to | | | | Putin called the U.S. missile plan - which |
| overcome sharp differences over a U.S. | | | | envisions basing tracking radar sites in the |
| missile defense system, closing their | | | | Czech Republic and interceptors in Poland - |
| seven-year relationship Sunday still far | | | | the hardest of US-Russian differences to |
| apart on an issue that has separated them | | | | reconcile. "This is not about language. This |
| from the beginning. | | | | is not about diplomatic phrasing or wording. |
| | | | This is about the substance of the issue," he |
| Both men are departing the center stage of | | | | said. |
| politics in some regards: Bush far more than | | | | |
| Putin, though Bush has nine more months to | | | | Bush reiterated his insistence that the plan |
| enjoy his reign as president of the most | | | | - designed to intercept and destroy |
| powerful nation on earth. Who will get to | | | | approaching ballistic missiles at high |
| deal with Putin in the future- McCain, | | | | altitudes - should not be viewed as a threat |
| Hillary, or Obama. We already know that Putin | | | | to Russia. In a clear reference to Iran, he |
| despises Hillary. But there's no need to | | | | said the system would help protect Europe |
| create more enemies now. | | | | from "regimes that could try to hold us |
| | | | hostage." |
| Putin steps down as president May 7th and | | | | |
| Medvedev, the president-elect - would be in | | | | Ah, but politics needs to wait for another |
| charge of Russia's foreign policy after May | | | | day as these two "sould brothers" started the |
| 7, uness Putin, who is expected to be named | | | | day much like civil brothers as on Sunday, |
| prime minister keeps that role. | | | | Putin greeted Bush at the door of the |
| | | | guesthouse and escorted him downstairs to a |
| Putin said at a news conference with Bush at | | | | wood-paneled room with tall windows facing |
| his vacation house at this Black Sea resort. | | | | the sea. They sat alongside each other in |
| "We got a lot of way to go." Despite the | | | | chairs before a fireplace with unlit logs. A |
| impasse, the two leaders agreed that Moscow | | | | crush of cameramen, photographers and |
| and Washington would work together closely in | | | | reporters crowded the room. |
| the future on missile defense and other | | | | |
| difficult issues. Russia remains adamantly | | | | Ahhhh! |
| opposed to the expansion of the alliance into | | | | |