RUSSIA - Jan. 23 - Putin For Co-operation With Washington.Pres. Putin sends a letter to Pres. George W. Bush proposing ways to "deepen co-operation between Russia and the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. " and supporting a "common search for answers to the serious challenges that confront us". The letter states: "When Russia and the US act jointly or on parallel tracks, decisions meeting the interests of peace and international stability may be reached". The letter suggests possible summits and other meetings. (Putin's positive tone contrasts with Bush's negative comments on Russian-American relations. In an interview with the New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times the previous week Bush said aid to Moscow should be limited to the dismantling of nuclear weapons until Moscow showed it could use aid and investment more productively. The main problem is Washington's plan to build a national missile defence system Noun 1. missile defence system - naval weaponry providing a defense system missile defense system naval weaponry - weaponry for warships . Moscow has threatened to withdraw from existing nuclear arms treaties if the US goes ahead. Russian military specialists suggest the Kremlin could respond to such a system by upgrading and expanding its nuclear force with new multiple-warhead missiles. Another source of tension is the possible expansion of NATO NATO: see North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO in full North Atlantic Treaty Organization International military alliance created to defend western Europe against a possible Soviet invasion. to include the Baltic states Baltic states, the countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, bordering on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. Formed in 1918, they remained independent republics until their involuntary incorporation in 1940 into the USSR. They regained their independence in Sept. ). |
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