Bush, Putin tout new era

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (CNN) -- One day after President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a landmark nuclear arms reduction treaty, the men continued to tout a new era of cooperation between their nations.

"The treaty we signed says a lot about nuclear arms. It speaks about the need for peace," Bush told a packed auditorium Saturday at St. Petersburg University.

"But it also says the Cold War is over. And America and Russia need to be and will be friends for the good of the world."

Under the treaty, nuclear arsenals will be cut by roughly two-thirds over 10 years. (Full story)

Bush arrived at the Kremlin in Moscow on Thursday, his second stop in a weeklong European tour.

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The war on terrorism and trade were two key topics discussed by the leaders, they told the crowd.

"We've got a new war to fight together. We're joined to fight against blood-thirsty killers," Bush said.

"These people hate freedom. They hate multi-ethnic societies. They can't stand religion."

"And it's a threat to America, and this is a threat to Russia, as you so all well know in this country. You've been hit by terrorist acts like we have been hit by terrorist acts," the U.S. president said, adding that Americans appreciated Russia's immediate support following the Sept. 11 attacks.

Leaders discussed free trade

The two leaders said they discussed removing obstacles that prevent Russia from trading freely with the United States, especially in the area of high technology.

Putin, who has been seeking membership in the World Trade Organization for his country, said, "What we need above all for Russia is an absolutely nondiscriminatory access to world markets and to U.S. markets. And we don't need preferences. We don't need subsidies. We don't need special favors. We just want normal, simple, ordinary, fair trade relations."

"These obstacles and limitations were placed upon us back in the days of the Soviet Union, and by their very inertia continue on and on," Putin said.

"Export controls on high-tech good are problematic, and we're now reviewing [them] in the United States," Bush responded.

Bush is to arrive in France on Sunday for a visit with President Jacques Chirac. He also will visit the Normandy beaches on Monday. Bush and his wife Laura will attend a Memorial Day service to honour the U.S. soldiers who fought and died in World War II.(Full story)