Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

President Vladimir Putin:

Dear Mr President, dear colleagues, good morning!

I know that you have already had the opportunity this morning to meet with students from one of Russia’s best universities. I hope this has also been a step towards a better understanding of how Russia thinks and by what it is inspired.

We talked at some length yesterday about a whole range of issues of mutual interest. Today in this more formal setting we can talk about these and other issues.

I am very glad to see you in the Kremlin.

Good morning!

President Nicolas Sarkozy (as translated): Thank you for receiving me at the Kremlin. It is my first time here. I must say that for the longest time I have dreamed of coming here.

I have met with some young people, with some remarkable Russian young people. They want to live, to hope, and I told them that I would like to create a partnership between Russia and France.

Now I want to discuss with you the terms of our partnership. I told the press yesterday that I was pleased by the sincerity of our interesting meeting yesterday. For me it was very interesting.

And in general I am finding everything interesting, you understand, because even just to wake up and see the Red Square is quite something.