Accessibility links

Breaking News

Obama Calls Putin For First Postelection Talk


U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin (file photo)
U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin (file photo)
U.S. President Barack Obama has called Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin, in the first conversation between the two men since Putin won a controversial third term in elections on March 4.

The AFP news agency quoted presidential spokesman Josh Earnest as saying Obama called Putin from aboard Air Force One.

There were no immediate details on the conversation.

But a White House spokesman on March 8 said the United States looked forward to continued ties with Russia "regardless of who the president is."

The Russian opposition on March 9 criticized U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for calling Putin the "clear winner" of the presidential vote in comments earlier this week.

Russian activists say Putin manipulated state resources and the media to orchestrate his return to the presidency.

With AFP and Reuters reporting

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG