The two leaders did not speak to the press as they went into their meeting.

The discussions were likely to focus on bilateral and trade relations, with international issues, in particular Iraq, left until later "since these will be discussed among the three leaders," Kremlin spokesman Sergei Prikhodko said.

Putin and Schroeder, along with French President Jacques Chirac are expected to discuss ways of carving out a role in post-war Iraq -- possibly through the United Nations -- for their countries which vigorously opposed US military action undertaken without UN approval.

Putin is also due to hold bilateral talks with Chirac at which they will discuss a variety of bilateral issues and prepare the Group of Eight meeting at Evian in southeastern France next month "because Putin wishes to know what France can do to ensure that the summit is productive," Prikhodko said.

The three leaders are then scheduled to hold joint meetings before meeting reporters and then having dinner together.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan initially said he would attend the summit but later retracted, apparently not wishing to be so closely associated with the three UN Security Council members strongly opposed to the US action.

SPACE.WIRE