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Putin says he was going to attend nuclear summit, but followed expert advice not to go

Russia cannot participate in or attend such events without being able to influence the final decision making, the president explained

ST. PETERSBURG, April 7. /TASS/. Russian President said on Thursday that he was going to attend the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC, but followed experts’ advice not to go.

"Yes, I was invited, and my colleague [US President Barack Obama] invited me personally. Frankly speaking, basically, I did not mind going, but our experts in the nuclear activity sphere and in the Foreign Ministry advised me not to do this," the Russian president said at the third Truth and Justice regional and local media forum.

Putin said why the experts advised him not to attend the nuclear summit. "As it became clear, it was a kind of a home event, most likely American, but events of this kind are held on the basis of consensus and the possibility to take part in the final decision making," the Russian leader said, explaining the first reason for not attending.

He added that the summit’s work was organized "within five groups, and we were offered to participate in only one, and consequently, our experts could make their contribution to the final decision making only in one sphere." "That is, we would not take part in the adoption of the general documents. Excuse me, but such a major nuclear power as Russia cannot participate in or attend such events without being able to influence the final decision making", the Russian president said. According to him, Moscow had long ago "frankly and openly" made this position known to the American partners.