Robert Amsterdam

Bush Downplays Putin's Criticism of US

Washington - US President George W Bush acknowledged Wednesday disagreements between the United States and Russia on key international issues but emphasized the mutual interests the two countries have in confronting international challenges.

Bush's comments were his first public remarks since Russian President Vladimir Putin's harshly criticized US foreign policy at a defence conference in Munich.

'There's a lot we can work together on,' Bush said of his relationship with Putin, pointing to both countries' desire to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

'It's a complicated relationship. It's a relationship in which there are disagreements,' Bush said at a news conference at the White House. 'But there's also a relationship in which we can find common ground to solve problems.'