The European Union and the United States have both agreed that addressing global warming is a pressing issue. President George W Bush acknowledged the importance of convincing Russia about the necessity of a missile shield in Europe. During a White House summit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, they expressed strong commitment to finalizing a global trade deal under the Doha round of talks. They also continued to pressure Iran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, despite Tehran's refusal to halt uranium enrichment. Merkel, in her first visit to Washington since assuming the EU presidency, emphasized the importance of addressing global climate change and hopes to make it a focal point at the upcoming Group of Eight summit in Germany in June. During a press conference held in the Rose Garden, European representatives expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the issue, even though no specific actions were outlined that the EU and US could jointly take to tackle the problem. Barroso highlighted the positive development, emphasizing the shared recognition of the threat posed by climate change and the importance of reducing emissions through collaborative efforts. Bush, who was criticized for being slow to acknowledge climate change as a problem, stated that any agreement between the United States and Europe would not have a significant impact unless developing countries like China were included. He explained that even if the United States stopped emitting greenhouse gases completely, China could easily produce the same amount in a short period of time. However, Merkel argued that it is crucial for developed countries to take the lead in reducing carbon emissions. She emphasized that if developed countries do not take action, it will be difficult to persuade other countries to do the same, resulting in worldwide CO2 emissions remaining high. The leaders of the US and EU came together amidst Russian criticism of US plans to set up a missile shield in Eastern Europe. Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to take necessary actions to counter the system. Bush mentioned that Merkel had voiced German and European concerns about the missile shield to him and suggested that he should explain his vision to Putin. Consequently, Bush sent Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Moscow to meet with Putin and offer Russia the chance to be part of the shield, which is intended to combat the threat of terrorism and not revive the Cold War. Bush stated that the dialogue has started with the hope of clarifying intentions and providing an opportunity for cooperation with Russia. He emphasized the importance of not being viewed as an adversary but as a friendly entity by the Russians.