[November 24, 2002] The Kremlin announced that Russian President Putin will visit China on December 1, but its spokesperson did not give detailed information on Putin’s trip to China. Putin is expected to meet with Hu Jintao, China’s new leader, and then to visit India.

On Friday, Putin received President Bush in St. Petersburg, where the two leaders reportedly discussed issues related to Iraq and anti-terrorism. President Bush expressed in Prague that the recent NATO expansion would be in the interests of Russia.