New Archival Footage Shows Putin Dancing With George W. Bush

Jan. 14, 2020

The Kremlin has released archival videos and photos of the president to mark President Vladimir Putin's 20 years in power as both president and prime minister of Russia.

In this published video from 2008, Putin can be seen dancing to a folk song with then-U.S. President George W. Bush.

Bush was visiting Putin in Sochi after the U.S. president had pushed for Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO at the Western military bloc’s 2008 summit.

When the leaders met for the first time in 2001, Bush said that he was able to “get a sense of [Putin’s] soul.”

Putin would later visit Bush at his ranch in Texas and at the Bush family compound in Maine.

Sochi was the last time the two leaders met as presidents, as Putin stepped down and became prime minister a month later.

Read more about: Putin

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once

Monthly

Annual

Continue