President Obama arrived at the G-20 summit in St. Petersburg today for his first face-to-face interaction with President Vladimir Putin since the Russian leader decided to give NSA leaker Edward Snowden safe haven.
From the White House pool report of that meeting:
He got out of the limo and exchanged a handshake and small talk w Putin who was waiting for him.
They chatted very briefly and obama was inside w/in 15 seconds
Couldn’t hear what was said
They appeared pleasant w each other but not over friendly, as if they were remarking on the splendid St Pete weather
Both smiled briefly as they shook hands,Obama flashing a big grin
Most leaders were in w/in 10 seconds, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Putin talked for a bit and shared a laugh. It was loud enough that pool heard Putin’s laugh, but not what was said
The leaders were supposed to begin arriving at 4 but didn’t show til 4:36
Canada PM and Putin appeared to talk about the castle, w Putin at one point gesturing up to it
He shook hands w every leader and then posed for a picture before directing leaders inside
Obama was the second-to-last leader to arrive at the palace.
Obama said he wouldn’t meet with Putin. Now he will. To talk about what!? Putin is probably the greatest expert on al-Assad’s WMD!
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) September 5, 2013
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