Bush, Putin smile, agree to disagree

SWAN-SONG SUMMIT With both leaders preparing to leave office, their only agreement was a declaration on the “strategic framework” of relations between their countries

AGENCIES , SOCHI, RUSSIA

“The Russian side has made clear that it does not agree with the decision to establish sites in Poland and the Czech Republic and reiterated its proposed alternative,” the declaration said.

“Yet, it appreciates the measures that the US has proposed and declared that, if agreed and implemented, such measures will be important and useful in assuaging Russian concerns,” the declaration said.

“We agreed to intensify our dialogue after Sochi on issues concerning ... [missile defense] cooperation,” it said.