Putin upbeat on Russian-US ties

Mr Putin (right) hosted a veteran of the cold war era

Russian President Vladimir Putin has played down differences with the US, praising recent co-operation over Iran.

"Our views are far from coinciding but on the whole we understand each other, which is most important, and we find compromises," Mr Putin said.

He was speaking at a meeting near Moscow with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Russian-US ties have cooled in recent months. In May US Vice-President Dick Cheney attacked Russia's energy policy.

He accused the Russian government of using oil and gas as tools of intimidation or blackmail.

Mr Putin hit back in a state of the nation speech, comparing the US to a wolf that "eats without listening".

Support for G8 role

But meeting Mr Kissinger on Tuesday at his Novo-Ogarevo residence near Moscow, the Russian president stressed that "relations between our two countries are developing successfully".

Russia, the US and other major powers have agreed on a package of incentives aimed at persuading Iran to halt sensitive atomic research.

Mr Kissinger voiced full support for Russia's leadership this year of the Group of Eight industrialised powers. Mr Putin will host a G8 summit in mid-July.

Critics argue that Mr Putin's Russia does not have sufficient democratic credentials to head the G8.

Mr Kissinger served as secretary of state and national security adviser under President Richard Nixon in the 1970s.