VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Bill, I'm happy to see you in Moscow. We've known each other for ages, and we've had a good relationship over the years.
I know that you've come here to make a speech at the international investment conference. I hope to see you here more often.
You've chosen the right time to come to Moscow. I hear your police have gotten carried away and put people in jail...
(Clinton laughs.)
But that's their job after all; really, they are all just doing their job.
I very much hope that the progress we have recently made in our bilateral relations will not be affected by recent events. And we very much hope that those who value relations between Russia and the U.S. understand this, even in this situation.
On the whole, our relations have been improving. I mean the economy in particular. Naturally, there was a setback because of the global recession, which I discussed with you when we met in Davos.
I know you're watching closely what's happening in the global economy, and you have a professional opinion on economic issues. I think we'll have an interesting meeting today, an interesting conversation.
Bill Clinton (as translated): Thank you. I'm happy to be here. Thank you for your warm welcome. I'm confident that the relations between the U.S. and Russia will improve. I have asked the U.S. Embassy several times to do their best to help Russia become the member of the WTO. I have a very positive opinion of the agreement on nuclear weapons. And I think President Medvedev has had a good meeting in America. I'm happy that you invited me through my wife to visit the Arctic and Bear Island (Alexandra Land in Franz Josef Land). I'd love to visit it.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, to work with polar bears. This is quite possible. We can discuss this today.
