Kissinger, Putin meet at Kremlin
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-13 12:47

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday during a private visit at the Kremlin Kissinger said was aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations, whose presidents are to meet for a summit this month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger during their meeting in the Moscow, Kremlin, Saturday Feb. 12 2005. Putin hosted Henry Kissinger on Saturday during a private visit the former U.S. Secretary of State said was aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations, whose presidents will hold a summit this month. [AP]

Kissinger described Putin as "a very good friend" of US President Bush and added, "I know the importance he attaches to his relationship with you and the relationship between the United States and Russia."

Putin replied, "We have friends in common."

Both Putin and Bush have made much of what they say is a warm personal relationship, but ties between the United States and Russia have soured considerably since reaching a peak in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Relations were damaged by the war in Iraq, which Putin adamantly opposed, and by Putin's rollback of democratic reforms and the rule of law in Russia, including ending regional elections for governors and a campaign against the Yukos oil company and its founders.

Bush and Putin are slated to meet in Slovakia on Feb. 24.

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