MOSCOW - Bush, Putin final talks

George Bush said he was looking forward to a last "heart-to-heart" with Vladmir Putin before the Russian leader leaves the Kremlin next month.

The two men hugged as they greeted each other outside Putin's holiday villa in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Bound by a strong personal friendship that hasn't cooled despite the chilly relations between their two countries.

Ties are strained with the U.S. over plans for the enlargement of NATO and a U.S. proposal to locate anti-missile defences in Poland and the Czech Republic.

While no breakthrough was anticipated at the two-day summit, an agreement - outlining the strategic framework of U.S.-Russian relations - fell short of expectations.

Both leaders conceded there was much work to do in the search for a compromise, but the Russian president said the agreement contained "positive developments."

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, SAYING:

"We haven't solved all the problems connected to the missile defence shield and the third positioning region in Europe, but I have already said it and today we once again saw that our American partners not only see that we have problems with their plans but we are sincerely trying to resolve them."

Addressing Russia's concerns, Bush said the U.S. would have to work harder to convince the Kremlin that it had nothing to fear.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) GEORGE W.BUSH, U.S. PRESIDENT, SAYING :

"Obviously we got a lot of work to do to convince the experts that the system is not aimed at Russia, (it's really have to deal with the threats with we all are going to face.)"

Washington wants to station interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic to protect against missile strikes from what it calls "rogue states", specifically Iran.

Putin is fiercely opposed to the plan, saying it will threaten Russian security.

Helen Long, Reuters

look forward to

To think of (a future event) with pleasurable, eager anticipation: looking forward to graduation.

hug v. hugged, hug·ging, hugs v.tr.

1. To clasp or hold closely, especially in the arms, as in affection; embrace.

2. To hold steadfastly to; cherish: He still hugs his outmoded beliefs.

3. To stay close to: a sailboat hugging the shore.

v.intr.

To embrace or cling together closely.
strained adj.

1. Having been passed through a strainer: a bowl of strained peaches.

2. Done with or marked by excessive effort; forced: strained humor.

3. Extended beyond proper limits: a strained meaning.

4. Antagonized to the verge of open conflict: strained relations.

5. Twisted; wrenched: a strained ankle.

rogue adj.

1. Vicious and solitary. Used of an animal, especially an elephant.

2. Large, destructive, and anomalous or unpredictable: a rogue wave; a rogue tornado.

3. Operating outside normal or desirable controls: "How could a single rogue trader bring down an otherwise profitable and well-regarded institution?" Saul Hansell.

fierce adj. fierc·er, fierc·est

1. Having a savage and violent nature; ferocious. See Synonyms at cruel.

2. Extremely severe or violent; terrible: "the fierce thunders roar me their music" Ezra Pound.

3. Extremely intense or ardent: fierce loyalty. See Synonyms at intense.

4. Strenuously active or resolute: a fierce attempt to escape.

5. Informal Very difficult or unpleasant: a fierce exam.