Vladimir Putin and George W Bush sat down for wide-ranging talks today as the Russian and US presidents tried to put an amicable face on tense ties in their last meeting as heads of state.
"This will be a very interesting meeting," Bush told journalists as the two leaders exchanged pleasantries at the start of talks at Putin's summer residence in this Russian Black Sea resort.
Negotiations are expected to touch on the numerous disagreements that have built up during the two leaders' eight years in power, including US missile shield plans, NATO expansion, arms treaties and other contentious issues.
Putin leaves office next month with Bush doing the same eight months later and observers say both leaders would like their relationship to be remembered for more than just the US-Russian disputes that have arisen during their terms.
"We have met a lot over the past years, I have come to respect you," Bush told Putin when the two met Sunday morning. "You are not afraid to tell me what's on your mind and after it is all said and done we shake hands."
But the key issues that have divided them in recent years show little sign of resolution.
The best chance of a concrete result from today appeared to be the possible Russian recognition of recent progress over a split on missile defence, US officials said.
The US missile plan foresees installing nine interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic to guard against missile attacks from "rogue states" like Iran.
Russia counters that Iran poses no missile threat to the United States and says it views the shield as a threat to its own security.
