U.S. President George W. Bush is urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to reverse Moscow's recent retreat from democratic reforms, while seeking to refresh his "close relationship" with his Russian counterpart. Closing out a European goodwill tour, Bush was meeting Putin on Thursday in this snow blanketed capital of Slovakia, once part of the Soviet bloc. Both leaders are walking a fine line, wanting to air their grievances without undercutting generally improved relations between the old Cold War nuclear rivals who are now cooperating closely in the war on terror. High on the agenda are U.S. concerns over Putin's moves to solidify his power and to clamp down on civil and press liberties. Also drawing U.S. alarm are Putin's attempts to influence elections in Ukraine and Russia's close ties to Iran. "I look forward to talking to him about his decision-making process," Bush told a group of young German business leaders Wednesday in Mainz, Germany. He said he was particularly concerned about Putin's curbs on press freedoms. "It's a complex relationship," Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, said of the U.S.-Russian dynamic. Democracy in Russia remains "a work in progress," Hadley told reporters ahead of Thursday's summit. "A free and democratic Russia is better for Russia. It's better for us," Hadley said. In the 21st century, he said, Russia will gain strength "through democratic structure. And hopefully that's something they will understand as well." Bush arrived here before Putin. He and his wife Laura stepped from Air Force One late Wednesday to a red-carpet welcome, with a military brass band playing the anthems of both nations. Bush was greeted by both Slovakian President Ivan Gasparovic and Prime Minister Makulas Dzurinda. Dzurinda later told Slovak state television that the decision to hold the summit in his country was "proof that Slovakia enjoys the confidence of both the United States and Russia." Before his talks with Putin at the medieval Bratislava Castle, Bush will meet privately with Gasparovic and Dzurinda and address Slovaks from a snowy square in downtown Bratislava. Putin was arriving later today.
