Putin: US, Russia Share Common Ground

"The period during which you worked here was not the simplest of times," Putin told Ambassador William Burns as they met at the Russian leader's residence outside Moscow.

"We have quite a few problems. But there was always the most important thing and I'd like to thank you for precisely this approach there was always desire to seek mutually acceptable decisions, compromises," Putin said.

Russian-American relations have been badly strained by disputes over issues ranging from U.S. plans for missile-defense facilities in eastern Europe to accusations of a retreat from democracy during Putin's eight-year presidency. Putin has often criticized the United States, sometimes in combative language.

"Despite the existing problems, disagreements and there have been many of those, too we do have the most important thing: We have common ground on key problems, among which I would include nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and certain questions of global security," Putin said.

His remarks seemed to echo U.S. assessments of ties with Russia.

He said economic ties with the United States were developing "pretty well" but added that there were also disagreements in that area. That is "perfectly normal," he said.

Burns, speaking in Russian, stressed the need for cooperation.

"Despite the fact that problems have emerged from time to time between our countries, I am convinced firmly convinced that working together, we gain a lot," he said. "From my point of view, it would be a huge mistake to lose sight of that fact."

He said that cooperation between Russia and the United States is "very important ... for the whole world."