The agreement showed that Russia adopted flexible approach to cope with NATO, though it did not include air transit.

"NATO is a reality, so we cooperate with it," Putin said.

Though disagreements remained, "the spirit of cooperation and compromise prevailed" their talks, which Putin described as "frank and constructive."

NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer echoed him in this aspect.

"NATO and Russia have embarked on the road to the joint effort on Afghanistan," Scheffer said of the transit deal.

On the independence of Kosovo, Putin "did make a number of remarks" at the meeting, but "it was wrong to say clash of views" over their disagreements, Scheffer said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2008)