President Bush is to meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Washington later this month for talks on bilateral and global issues.
The White House said Friday the two leaders will discuss ways to deepen the U.S.-Russian partnership to face current challenges and opportunities. The September 16th meeting will follow a summit of leaders of the United Nations Security Council, focusing on ways to combat terrorism.
Mr. Putin and Mr. Bush have stressed they have a close relationship, despite some differences over international policy.
Moscow has been critical of the war in Iraq, and the United States has called on Russia to do more to promote human rights in the former Soviet Union.
