KENNEBUNKPORT - After hearing criticism of the US and its foreign policy from his Russian counterpart for months, President Bush praised President Vladimir Putin for his truthfulness and frankness - a move that drew criticism from some Russia experts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, looks at President Bush as they talk about their meetings, Monday, July 2, 2007, at the Bush family compound on Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine. [AP]

"Here's the thing, when you're dealing with a world leader, you wonder whether or not he's telling the truth," Bush told reporters Monday. "I've never had to worry about that with Vladimir Putin. Sometimes he says things I don't want to hear, but I know he's always telling me the truth."

Later, Putin seemed to equate Russia's record on human rights and press freedom with that of the United States.

"Speaking of common democratic values, we are guided by the idea and principle that these are important both for you and for us," Putin said. "Even in the, shall we say, sustainable democracies, mature democracies, we see basically the same problems ... It has to do with the relationship with the media; it has to do with human rights."

Bush did not react to the comparison.

Bush and Putin have had a personal friendship since June 2001, when both held their first summit in Slovenia. "I looked the man in the eye," Bush told reporters after that meeting. "I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy ... I was able to get a sense of his soul."

From the Kremlin's point of view, Putin's warm reception by Bush was both a result of the friendship between the two men and a reflection of Russia's restored strength and influence in the world.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, told The Associated Press that some of Russia's critics still wish it were in "transition" from its Soviet past.

"But that time is over and everything is changing," he said.

The West, experts agree, needs Russia's help on a host of critical issues ranging from independence for the Serbian province of Kosovo to Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program.

As the first world leader to call the White House and offer condolences after the Sept. 11 attacks, Putin earned the gratitude of the Bush White House. The Russian leader also overcame objections from his military to let the US military open bases in Central Asia to support operations in Afghanistan.

But Putin seemed to sour on US foreign policy after the 2003 invasion of Iraq.