Bush, Putin at odds over missile shield

Sochi: US President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to a “strategic framework'' in future US-Russian relations, but failed to agree on US plans to place elements of its defence shield in Eastern Europe.

''I will not conceal that one of the most difficult issues was and remains missile defence in Europe,'' Putin said, and added that Russia's policy had not changed.

Putin said he welcomed efforts by the United States to explain its intentions and to open up the process of developing such a system.