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Putin says he cannot take part in G8 summit due to formation of RF gvt

Russia will be represented by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev

WASHINGTON, May 10 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Vladimir Putin told his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama that he could not take part in the G-8 summit to be held in Camp David on May 18-19 due to the formation of a new government in the country.

Russia will be represented by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, the White House press service reported on Wednesday, May 9, after the telephone conversation between the leaders of the two countries.

During the conversation, Putin and Obama agreed to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 summit due to take place in Mexico’s Los Cabos on June 18-19. Putin said he had obligations to complete appointments to the new Russian government that is why he could not participate in the G-8 summit in Camp David, the White House press service reported.

Obama respected President Putin’s decision and lauded Medvedev’s participation in the G-8 summit, the press service said.

In addition, during the conversation, on the occasion of Victory Day in Russia Putin and Obama noted the historic importance of allied relationship between Russia and the United States during World War II and stressed the need to strengthen Russian-American partnership, the press service said.

The presidents confirmed the commitment to maintaining the dialogue in the spirit of the resetting policy. They noted considerable progress in such issues as nuclear security and the non-proliferation, Afghanistan, the WTO talks, and the expansion of trade cooperation, the press service said.

Earlier, the Kremlin press service stressed that during the conversation, Obama had congratulated Putin on the inauguration. The press service said the presidents exchanged greetings messages on Victory Day and noted the importance of allied relationship that the peoples of both states had established during WWII and conveyed their good wishes to veterans. The heads of state also discussed prospects for the development of Russian-American relations and personal contacts, the press service said.

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