US:Russian nuclear links with Iran were among the issues facing Presidents Bush and Putin as the two leaders began a two-day summit at the Camp David, Maryland, yesterday.
Mr Bush announced ahead of the meeting that Iran's intentions in the nuclear area would be on the agenda for discussion when he met his Russian counterpart at the presidential retreat north of Washington DC.
"It is very important for the world to come together to make very clear to Iran that there will be universal condemnation if they continue with their nuclear weapons programme," Mr Bush said.
The US has been urging Moscow not to sign an agreement with Tehran to allow Iran's first nuclear power plant, built by the Russians, to become operational. The €700 million power station at Bushehr, southern Iran, is due to start functioning within two years. The International Atomic Energy Agency has set a deadline of October 31st for Iran to prove that its nuclear programme is for energy purposes only.
The atmosphere surrounding the summit was enhanced by a conciliatory speech from the Russian leader to the UN General Assembly. The Russians were firmly opposed to the US approach at the time of the Iraqi invasion but Mr Putin refrained from any sharp criticism.
There have also been indications that Russia is prepared to support a US-sponsored Security Council resolution authorising a multinational peacekeeping force and financial aid for Iraq.
It is understood that Russia is anxious to secure oil contracts in Iraq and there may be room for a trade-off between diplomatic support at the UN and access to the Iraqi oil market. A US-Russia energy summit was recently held in St Petersburg.
Mr Putin told students at Columbia University this week: "The reality is Iraq is controlled by coalition forces, and our desire is to satisfy the ambitions and interests of all the parties. We are going to find this golden middle and we are going to do it jointly with President Bush."