Bush and Putin in defence shield standoff

But although Mr Bush claimed he 'trusted' his Russian counterpart, experts said their public efforts to avoid argument hid private disagreements.

The two leaders failed to resolve differences over U.S. plans for an anti-missile defence shield based in eastern Europe which is fiercely opposed by Moscow.

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That row rumbled on at a meeting dubbed the Lobster Summit at Mr Bush's seaside holiday home in Maine.

The U.S. president said after the talks that he and Mr Putin recognised the need to 'send a common message' to Tehran.

"When Russia and the United States speak along the same lines, it tends to have an effect and therefore I appreciate the Russians' attitude," Mr Bush said. "We're close on recognising that we got to work together to send a common message."

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Mr Putin predicted that 'we will continue to be successful' as they work through the United Nations Security Council to rein in Iran's nuclear ambitions.

However, while both leaders want to stymie Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions, they do not see eye-to-eye on whether Iranian missiles currently pose a threat.

On the prickly anti-missile issue, Mr Putin proposed transforming U.S. plans for an eastern European missile shield into a broader system that would incorporate a radar system in southern Russia and bring more European nations into the decision-making process.

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Mr Bush called the idea 'innovative.' But he said he still wants to anchor the shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.

He says the missiles will be aimed at rogue states Iran and North Korea. Mr Putin sees them as a threat to Moscow.

Handshakes and smiles preceded the meeting in Kennebunkport, famed for its lobster dishes, where the leaders were trying to restart relations after months of acrimony.

"Do I trust him?" Mr Bush said of Putin as the Russian leader stood beside him. "Yes, I trust him. There are times when we've agreed on issues and there are times when we haven't agreed on issues."