[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 19 (Monday, May 16, 2005)]
[Pages 781-782]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to Discussions With President Vladimir Putin of Russia in 
Moscow, Russia

May 8, 2005

    President Putin. Mr. President, allow me to cordially welcome you to 
Moscow. I'd like to thank you for having decided to visit Moscow to 
participate in the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the end of 
World War II, giving confirmation by that fact to the immense role 
played by the United States, Soviet Union, and Russian Federation in the 
victory over nazism.
    Tomorrow we'll be pleased to receive our guests of ours, but the 
visit by the President of the United States is of special importance. On 
top of that, even today, we've enjoyed a very large volume of 
cooperation between our countries. And I hope that this cooperation will 
be helpful to us in addressing our domestic problems in both countries.
    And I'm aware of the fact that you currently are confronted with 
immense tasks

[[Page 782]]

with respect to social sphere. [Laughter] So if we are very positive in 
addressing those energy-related and security-related questions, that 
will be very helpful in addressing the problems which are confronted by 
people in the street in our countries. Besides, I recently visited the 
Middle East. Therefore, I'd like in this conversation with you today to 
compare the notes regarding the current state of the Middle East.
    President Bush. Vladimir, thank you for having me. It's such an 
honor to be here. This locale where we are is a place where the 
President welcomed me and Laura 2 years ago, and it's great to be back 
here. I am looking forward to the celebration tomorrow. It is a moment 
where the world will recognize the great bravery and sacrifice the 
Russian people made in the defeat of nazism. The people of Russia 
suffered incredible hardship, and yet the Russian spirit never died out.
    I'm equally grateful that you would take--invite me and Laura for 
dinner tonight. And having had one of your meals before, I'm looking 
forward to this one a lot.
    President Putin. Recently I took a look at the coverage of your 
meeting with the press corps. Well, I could see how Laura attacked you 
sometimes, so at today's dinner we will have a chance to protect you. 
[Laughter]
    President Bush. She was quite the comedian. But I'm looking forward 
to--Russia is a great nation, and I'm looking forward to working on--
together on big problems. And I want to thank you for your work on Iran 
and the Middle East, and there's a lot we can do together. And so thank 
you for having us.

Note: The President spoke at approximately 7:45 p.m. at Novo Ogarevo, 
the Putins' residence in Moscow. A tape was not available for 
verification of the content of these remarks.