March 3, 2013 (TSR) – President Barack Obama will visit St Petersburg for September’s G20 summit and will also hold a meeting with President Vladimir Putin at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland in June.
The White House made the announcement after the leaders spoke by telephone, on the American side’s initiative, to discuss the Syria crisis and the testy relations between Russia and the United States, which have deteriorated further since Obama’s first term.
In a telephone conversation on Friday, they both engaged in a detail discussion on issues of bilateral cooperation, as well as a range of current international problems.
The two leaders stressed the fundamental significance of the cooperation between Russia and the United States in assuring stability throughout the world.
Constructively, they also agreed to work closely on hot-button international topics pertaining to Syria, the Middle East peace process, Iran, North Korea, and ballistic missile defence plans.
In discussing the Syrian crisis, the President of Russia noted the need to rapidly bring an end to hostilities.
Both sides expressed readiness to work actively on developing mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in all areas. Vladimir Putin highlighted the importance of increasing trade and economic ties, whose levels do not correspond to the two nations’ potential.
According to the Kremlin, their Foreign Ministers are under presidential instructions to continue active contacts and to focus on developing possible new initiatives aimed at a political settlement of the crisis by diplomatic means.
President Putin reportedly insisted that Syria needs a ceasefire with immediate effect.
The two leaders expressed a common desire to avoid any steps that could impact negatively on their bilateral relations.
The two sides came to an agreement that the Presidents would have a bilateral meeting during the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.
Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his invitation for Barack Obama to come to Russia on an official visit.
