BRATISLAVA, Feb. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the Slovak capital Bratislava Thursday for a summit meeting with his US counterpart George W. Bush.

    It is the first summit between the two leaders since Bush kicked off his second term in office last month.

    Putin will also hold bilateral talks with Slovak officials during his two-day visit to the Eastern European country which came into being Jan. 1, 1993 after its formal separation from the Federation of Czech and Slovak Republics.

    Before the summit, Bush on Tuesday criticized Putin for backsliding on democracy, saying that Russia should renew its commitment to a free press and the rule of law.

    In response, Putin said in Moscow that Russia must adapt to democracy on its own and would not allow the issue to be used for other countries for their foreign policy goals. Enditem