Bush and Putin hold meeting

George W Bush and Vladimir Putin have agreed to exchange visits to the United States and Moscow in their first face-to-face meeting.

The Russian President said the two hours of talks, the first between the leaders, inside Brdo Castle were an "honest, frank dialogue".

Mr Bush had hoped to use the meeting to thaw the chill in US-Russian relations over the US President's plan to deploy a missile defence system. But Mr Putin voiced unwavering reservations and appealed for a go-slow approach.

Without restating Russia's opposition, Mr Putin said: "The official position of the Russian government is known."

He said the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty banning such missile defence plans is the "cornerstone of the modern architecture of international security."

The United States and Russia must work together to identify security threats and officials from both countries should sit down to "try to find a way together to solve these problems", Mr Putin said.

Mr Bush emphasised that the talks were "straightforward and productive ... an important step in building a constructive, respectful relationship with Russia."

He announced that Mr Putin would come to the United States in the autumn and visit the US President's ranch in central Texas. Mr Bush said he would, in turn, visit Moscow. Mr Putin said he looked forward to welcoming the US President to his home.

Mr Bush and Mr Putin exchanged warm compliments as they addressed reporters on the lawn of the elegant 16th century estate in Brdo Pri Kranju that was a favourite of the late Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito.

Mr Putin saluted Mr Bush as "an honest, straightforward man who loves his country". Mr Bush said the Russian was a leader whom Americans can trust. The pair meet again next month in Genoa, Italy, at the G-8 summit of industrial powers.