Bush Meets With Russia's Next Leader

SOCHI, Russia — Russia's new boss is not quite the same as the old boss.

President-elect Medvedev of Russia, at 42 one of the youngest leaders Russia has had since the days of the tsars, looked slightly uncomfortable as he sat down for his first formal talks with President Bush yesterday before a crush of photographers. But amid a barrage of camera clicks, the diminutive Mr. Medvedev grinned broadly when shaking Mr. Bush's hand, a noticeable change from the often unsmiling and imposing President Putin whom he will succeed next month.

"President Putin and you over these last eight years have done a lot to advance the Russian-U.S. relationship," Mr. Medvedev told Mr. Bush, paying respects to the man who will likely become Russia's next prime minister.