Bush says will visit Russia after April NATO summit

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Wednesday he will visit Russia after the April 2-4 NATO summit and was hopeful of reaching agreement with President Vladimir Putin on "some very important matters."

Bush told reporters at the White House that the outgoing Russian president had invited him to visit Russia following the summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Romania and that final details were still being worked out.

"It's important that we have good relations with Russia," Bush said.

"We're optimistic we can reach an accord on some very important matters," he added.

The meeting, which follows a trip to Russia by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, will give Bush an opportunity to meet with Dmitry Medvedev, the incoming president who is due to be sworn in on May 7 to replace Putin.

Putin is expected to become prime minister in the new government.

(Editing by Mohammad Zargham)