From this article:

Although details were still being negotiated last night, the joint statement to be released at the presidential summit in Bratislava, Slovakia, could be used as a counterpoint to the rising tension in U.S.-Russian relations over Putin’s crackdown on domestic dissent. Bush has promised to challenge Putin on Russia’s retreat from democracy during their meeting but has also stressed his continuing friendship for the Russian president and their ability to work together on mutual security issues.

“We’re trying to demonstrate that we can make progress and move forward despite these other issues,” a senior Bush administration official said. Securing Russian nuclear material remains at the top of the U.S. agenda with Moscow, the official said, and the Bratislava agreement is intended to “get better control over things to avoid the possibility that things fall into the wrong hands.”

That’s great, and I am glad something is being done but… what about democracy? I guess we will have to wait and see for tomorrow if it will be acted on or not.

UPDATE: Just heard on Fox News that “Bush is much more blunt with Putin in private than he is in public.” Heh, looks like I’m right. Of course, I love being right!

MORE: From Radio Free Europe, Putin’s “own version of democracy”:

Speaking to Slovak media ahead of his summit in Bratislava with U.S. President George W. Bush on 24 February, President Vladimir Putin said on 22 February that he is ready for dialogue about democracy in Russia, but will not allow the topic to be used “for trying to achieve foreign-policy goals,” Russian and international media reported. Replying to Bush’s remark about the necessity of renewing democracy in Russia (see “RFE/RL Newsline,” 22 February 2005), Putin said that Russia chose a democratic path 14 years ago and did so “not in order to make itself compatible with anyone, but for its own good,” RTR reported. “Naturally, the fundamental principles of democracy and the institutions of democracy must be adapted to the reality of today’s life in Russia, to our traditions and history,” he added. Putin also remarked that Russia is always ready for dialogue “with those interested in it, with friends” and that Bush is one such person. “A friendly look from the outside, even a critical look, won’t hurt and will only help us,” Putin said. Finally, Putin said that U.S.-Russian relations have never been at “such a high level as now.” VY

It seems, in contrast to that way Bush talks, Putin instead talks roughly in public, and like a lamb in private. Here are some comments I left on another blog:

The contradictions are astounding. It seems like this plan is just to safeguard the nuclear material that is insecure in Russia, whereas the Russia-Iran deal is separate.

I’m thinking a deal will be broke though. Iran is the U.S. bargaining chip with Europe, and Russia is supplying the reactor. The United States, therefore, could cut Iran off at the source by bargaining with Russia on any amount of things to stop them from supplying the reactor. This could be providing the money for safeguarding Russian nuclear materials as well as securing better economic relations.

Or anything, really. The United States can do a lot of things when it wants to, and Putin doesn’t have anything to lose and much to gain by playing the good guy and extracting some concessions.

TALKS: I guess we’ll never really know what was said. The news isn’t very satisfying on this.