Putin Puts in at Kennebunkport

Russian president insists visit is social, though tensions remain high
By Greg Atwan,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 1, 2007 7:23 PM CDT
Putin Puts in at Kennebunkport
Former President George Bush, left and President George Bush, right welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin to Walker's Point, the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, Sunday, July 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)   (Associated Press)

Russian president Vladimir Putin touched down in New Hampshire this afternoon for what the US and Russia are both calling a social visit to President Bush's summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine. But the BBC reports both sides hope to use the meeting as an opportunity to warm their countries' recently glacial relationship.

It's the first time a foreign leader has been invited to the president's summer home. The most pressing issue between guest and host is Bush's proposed missile shield, which Putin says amounts to a renewal of the cold war. But Bush has also accused the Kremlin of a freedom-of-speech gap, and the two sides remain at loggerheads over Kosovo. (More Vladimir Putin stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X