ST. PETERSBURG, July 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and his United States counterpart George W. Bush are holding talks near St. Petersburg Saturday, after an informal meeting Friday.
Bush will be joined at the Constantine Palace near St. Petersburg by the leaders of France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and Germany later in the day for the start of the G8 summit.
In opening the meeting, Putin told the U.S. leader, "Thank you for coming here the day before the summit. Yesterday we had the chance to spend a few hours in an informal setting."
"Today we will be able to discuss bilateral relations issues and international problems, together with our colleagues. For us it is very important to compare notes with you and your administration on these issues. I hope that the meeting will be a good launching point for the whole summit. We hope for your support in international issues," the Russian president said.
During their talks, Putin and Bush are expected discuss the escalating conflict in the Middle East, as well as bilateral issues, and the summit agenda.
The Russian president urged Friday all sides involved in the Middle East conflict to end military operations and bloodshed. Israel launched a military operation in Lebanon after Lebanon-based Islamist group Hizbollah movement took two Israelis hostage on Wednesday. At least 55 Lebanese civilians were killed. Israeli aircraft also bombed the Gaza Strip.
Putin and Bush may also discuss North Korea's nuclear program. In a recent interview with U.S. TV channel NBC, Putin said the communist state should not be provoked to end the six-party talks on its nuclear problem, and that Russia would aim to find approaches acceptable to all sides.
Other key bilateral issues likely to be raised at the talks include Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, and U.S. restrictions on uranium imports from Russia.
Russia opposes U.S. discrimination against its nuclear companies and wants to supply uranium directly. Restrictions on imports from Russia of low-enriched uranium have been in force since the Soviet era. Russia is currently allowed to operate on the U.S. market without a 116% import duty only through the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), a special intermediary agent, under the HEU-LEU Conversion program, but is facing anti-dumping procedures.
