Putin expected in Bucharest at 8:00 p.m.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected in Bucharest today, at around 8:00 p.m., to participate in tomorrow’s meeting of the NATO-Russia Council.

It is unlikely that the leader of the Kremlin will meet U.S. President George W. Bush in Bucharest.

According to Russia’s Minister of External Affairs, Serghei Lavror, Vladimir Putin will focus mainly on the problem of Kosovo’s independence and the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance. To date, Putin has not confirmed any bilateral meetings in Bucharest.