Bush to meet Putin

Ivanov and Powell said they wanted to put diplomatic expulsions behind them

By diplomatic correspondent Barnaby Mason in Paris

The US Secretary of State Colin Powell says President Bush is anxious to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as soon as possible and a summit will take place by July at the latest.

Both presidents are anxious to see this meeting take place as soon as possible

Colin Powell

Mr Powell was speaking in Paris after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.

They also discussed strategic weapons and controversial American plans for anti-missile defence.

Both ministers said they wanted to put the recent mutual expulsions of diplomats behind them.

Russia 'matters'

Bush: Downgrading Russia?

Mr Bush has clearly been in no hurry to meet Mr Putin and has given the impression that the United States is downgrading the importance of Russia in its view of the world.

But in effect Colin Powell stressed that Russia did matter.

He said they were embarking on a variety of contacts between officials at every level, covering trade and financial matters among others.

The Americans will be taking part in a joint working group with the Russians on Afghanistan - both sides concerned about the activities of the Taleban Islamic government.

And Mr Powell emphasised the importance of having a US-Russia summit.

Weapons talks

"Of course we're looking forward to the meeting of our two presidents, which will happen no later than the G8 meeting in July, but we hope that there may be a possibility of doing it earlier but the schedules are difficult to reconcile.

Vladimir Putin: Concerned about US missile defence

"But both presidents are anxious to see this meeting take place as soon as possible."

The Russians are most concerned about President Bush's determination to press ahead with ambitious plans for anti-missile defence.

Mr Powell said they had had an initial discussion of new American ideas about strategic weapons, both offensive and defensive, and the part arms control should play in the relationship with Russia.

Spy expulsions

Both ministers said their countries had put the recent mutual expulsions of diplomats behind them and wanted to turn a new page.

Mr Ivanov said Russia paid attention to American concerns about its arms sales to Iran and was ready to continue a dialaogue about it.

Similarly giving nothing away, Mr Powell said the United States would of course take into account Russia's interest and views on the issue of further Nato expansion.