Vladimir Putin: Positive Relations With U.S. President Do Not Prevent Moscow From Defending Its National Interests

Positive relations that have shaped up between the presidents of Russia and the United States do not prevent them from defending their countries' national interests, said Vladimir Putin Sunday at the joint press conference with George W. Bush in Shanghai, which hosted the APEC summit. According to Mr. Putin, he is grateful to Mr. Bush for the warm words he had for Russia and him personally. The Russian President said that during the meeting with his American counterpart he "felt Mr. Bush's attitude to him." "This does not prevent us from defending our points of view and national interests of our countries," Mr. Putin stressed. He meant, first of all, Russia's stance in regard to the 1972 ABM Treaty.