Gates: Putin remarks blunt spy talk

Gates: Putin remarks blunt spy talk

"We all face many common problems and challenges that must be addressed in partnership with other countries, including Russia," Gates said.

He said he accepted an invitation from Putin to visit Russia.

"One Cold War was quite enough," Gates said.

Putin on Saturday offered some of his harshest comments against the United States in seven years in power, attacking the concept of a "unipolar" world dominated by Washington.

His remarks came amid continuing disagreement between Russia and the United States over the Iraq war and the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea.

Gates, who studied the Soviet Union and Russia as a career CIA analyst, also raised concerns on Sunday about Russia's arms transfers and "its temptation to use energy resources for political coercion," policies he said could threaten international stability.