Mr Putin noted that he had already had the opportunity of meeting with former American presidents back while he was still working in St. Petersburg, and said it was a good tradition to have people with such experience continuing to work for the good of their country.
George Bush senior assured the Russian President that his son has sincere and friendly feelings of respect for Mr Putin and for Russia.
Mr Putin said that although he and the U.S. President do not always share the same opinion, the main thing is the friendship that has built up between them and the feeling of being able to trust each other.