US President George W. Bush called Russia a "friend" on Wednesday after his four-day visit to Russia, Latvia, Georgia and the Netherlands.

"Sitting in Red Square honoring the veterans of World War Two was an amazing event... And I was sitting beside a friend. Russia is not an enemy, Russia is our friend," Bush told members of Congress about his Europe trip.

Acknowledging Washington and Moscow "have a difference of opinion on certain issues," Bush said both sides have a consensus on working together for peace.

"It is important that we work together to achieve peace," he said.

Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin stood side by side on Moscow's Red Square on Monday, watching the huge parade marking the 60th anniversary of the victory of Russia's Great Patriotic War over Nazi Germany.

Source: Xinhua