SOCHI, Russia — President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin opened suspenseful farewell talks Saturday as the White House abandoned hopes they would resolve differences on U.S. missile defense plans, one of the most contentious issues in a long list of security disputes.
They began their meeting with a warm handshake and smiles at Putin’s heavily wooded retreat on the Black Sea. Putin took Bush to the second floor of a guesthouse to show off a tabletop display of the 2014 Winter Olympics that will be held here.
“This is your yacht,” he joked to Bush, pointing at a 3- inch white ship on a blue patch representing the water. Bush chuckled.
Later, the leaders were on stage during entertainment at dinner and took part in a traditional folk dance featuring a Cossack chorus.
In a speech in Croatia before arriving, Bush raised a sensitive point by praising the spread of Western-style democracy across Eastern Europe to Russia’s borders.
It is a matter of considerable concern to the Kremlin as it watches the rapidly growing NATO military alliance push against its door.
In the twilight of their presidencies, Bush and Putin met in hopes of reversing a slide in relations and leaving their successors a broad strategy for more cooperation and less confrontation. The list of grievances between the sides is formidable.
Bush’s national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, had raised hopes Monday of a missile defense deal, saying Sochi presented an opportunity to reach an agreement.
But the White House dropped that line Saturday as Bush flew to Russia.
Bush and Putin put off business talks until today, when they are scheduled to meet for an hour and announce the results of their discussions at a climactic news conference promising a preview of the future of U.S.-Russia relations. Bush is set to meet with Dmitry Medvedev, who takes over May 7 as president of Russia.
Before coming to Russia, Bush stopped in Croatia to celebrate NATO’s expansion eastward. Croatia and Albania were invited to join NATO, while Macedonia’s bid was put off. The two newest members will boost NATO’s ranks to 28 nations committed to helping defend one another.
“Henceforth, should any danger threaten your people, America and the NATO alliance will stand with you and no one will be able to take your freedom away,” Bush said to cheers from thousands packed into St. Mark’s Square.
Bush pointed out the success of U.S.-supported democratization in the volatile Balkans, where the effects of the breakup of the former Yugoslavia still roil relations between Washington and Moscow.
