April 2, 2008
Posted: April 2nd, 2008 04:00 PM ET
Bush and Putin.
Bush and Putin.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - As President Bush travels overseas this week, it is a reminder of an early trademark moment of his presidency, his 2001 embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy," Bush said after their initial summit in Slovenia. "We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul; a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country. And I appreciated so very much the frank dialogue."

Seven years later, Putin is viewed more critically across the West, for veering off the path of democratic reform, among other things. Bush, though, maintains it is a critical relationship. Crucial, but thorny: Bush has differences with Russia over plans for a U.S. missile defense program, and over putting former Soviet bloc countries Ukraine and Georgia on the path to membership in the NATO alliance.

And if there are tensions with Bush, Putin and his successor can almost certainly look forward to even tougher relations with the next U.S. president.

Bush's close ties to Putin have been criticized by all of the leading candidates. Republican John McCain, for example, regularly mocks Mr. Bush's claims of looking into Mr. Putin's eyes and getting a sense of his soul. McCain tells audiences when he looks into Mr. Putin's eyes he "sees three letters: KGB."

–CNN Chief National Correspondent John King

Filed under: John King


An American in Canada   April 2nd, 2008 7:57 pm ET

WHEN IT IS YOUR LAST 8 MONTHS ON THE JOB SHOULD BUSH BE OUT STIRING UP TROUBLE AND ISOLATING OTHER COUNTRIES.

BUSH YOU CAN NOT CHANGE YOU LEGACY, YOU WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE WORST PRESIDENT.

YOU WILL BE KNOW AS THE PRESIDENT EVERYONE WANTED TO HAVE A BEER WITH, BECAUSE AMERICANS CAN NOT THINK SOMETIMES THEY ARE SWAYED BY GLAMOR AND STYLE.

THAT IS THE SAME SUBSTANCE THAT AMERICANS ARE NOW SEEING IN BARACK H. OBAMA

SPECIAL NOTE TO OBAMA:

WELL OBAMA IT IS 3 A.M. AND IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO WAKE UP,

YOU HAVE BEEN HAVING A DREAM IN TECHNICOLOR, THINKING

YOU WOULD EVER BE OUR PRESIDENT.

HILLARY R. CLINTON PRESIDENT OF AMERICA 2009-2012

Allan   April 2nd, 2008 7:49 pm ET

Obama has 3 years on the Foreign Relations Committee, and that's a minus? How many did Bush have when he saw Putin's soul? How many did Bill Clinton have? Come on folks, you have peculiar standards, that just seem to depend on who you plan to vote for.

Obama 08

Patriot   April 2nd, 2008 7:48 pm ET

The comments about our President shows the ignorance and lack of respect of our elected officials by the Left Wing Nuts supporting Hillary and Obama. Get over it Democrats you lost twice to G.W. Bush.
McCain will make it three times. Get ready for the cries of Republicans stole the election in 2009.

You don't get it, we don't want Socialism in America. That is why millions of people come from Socialist Countries and countries that pretend to be Democracies, such as Mexico.

proclintons   April 2nd, 2008 7:33 pm ET

this show again how stupid the president of the USA is!

MMB   April 2nd, 2008 7:33 pm ET

Putin has the discipline of mind that only a blackbelt in JUDO can have. He could easily flip any president we offer and break their neck in a flash. Putin rocks. Those of us who hated the Russian mafia of the 90s love Putin because he straighten out the banking system. Americans will never understand the suffering of the Russian people and the need for strong (much stronger than American) leadership–particularly with the "new Russian" crowd. Stay tough, Mr. Putin!

proclintons   April 2nd, 2008 7:33 pm ET

This shows again how stupid the president of the USA is.

jhs   April 2nd, 2008 7:01 pm ET

Birds of a feather......

Wilma, Georgia   April 2nd, 2008 7:01 pm ET

AREN'T THEY A LOVELY COUPLE ?

Grif   April 2nd, 2008 6:52 pm ET

Richardson The Rat!!!

Don't forget you're Hat...

You're out the Door! come Novembar...

The Republican will win Again. That's for Sure...

OBAMA FOR SURE WILL WIN PA. 2008   April 2nd, 2008 6:46 pm ET

See the above Photo!Putin doesn't look like he trusts Bush! Putin is a little standoffish in this Particular Photo OP!!!! Wonder Why?Um, can't
imagine!

KGB   April 2nd, 2008 6:40 pm ET

As Colon Powell first said years ago, "when I look in his eyes all I see are the letters KGB". I think McCain like to use that line without giving the originator credit, but we won't go there.

OBAMA FOR SURE WILL WIN PA. 2008   April 2nd, 2008 6:31 pm ET

How sickening. And right before the elections!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BG - Texas   April 2nd, 2008 6:31 pm ET

No problem – BHO will smootch all over Putin and his boys. Total World Peace starts on Inauguaration Day cause BHO says so!

I'm beginning to belieive everything Barry says!

Carrie PA   April 2nd, 2008 6:30 pm ET

Judgement of charactor isn't one of President Bush's strengths.

Chris from San Antonio   April 2nd, 2008 6:30 pm ET

Two lame ducks walk into a bar...

Chris in Va.   April 2nd, 2008 6:21 pm ET

Why in the world do they let George Bush out in public. The merciful thing to do would be to keep him locked in his office playing with his little green army men.

CHERYL   April 2nd, 2008 6:19 pm ET

BUSH HAS NOTHING ON OBAMA FOR EVILNESS!!!!!!

AS A MATTER OF FACT HE LIES LESS TOO!!!!!!!!

KTX   April 2nd, 2008 6:13 pm ET

Barf!

VOTER FOR TRUTH AND DIGNITY IN AMERICA   April 2nd, 2008 6:12 pm ET

Bush will pose with ANYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and he likes it!!!!

Obama 2008

Jeff   April 2nd, 2008 6:10 pm ET

mccain's comment is so typical.

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   April 2nd, 2008 6:08 pm ET

"I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very intelligent and articulate," Putin said of Bush, proving the well-recognized unreliability of eyewitness testimony.

Bayou Joe   April 2nd, 2008 6:04 pm ET

Putin will usher in World War III and McCain will have to deal with it as President of the United States. I see the same thing McCain does in eyes of this dictatar " KGB".

glhf   April 2nd, 2008 6:03 pm ET

...A tyrant...and a tyrant. Gee, I wonder why they get along?

Original   April 2nd, 2008 6:01 pm ET

Interesting that our President talks about democracy all the time. Now, he is hugging on the very essence of anti-democracy!

Carol   April 2nd, 2008 5:59 pm ET

Where did you get this picture? They look like they're dancing together

Nobillary Andobama   April 2nd, 2008 5:58 pm ET

Does anyone honestly think that Barack Obama....with a whopping three years of experience on the Senate Foreign Relations committee... really has what it takes to stand up to this rogue???

HRC, it's over babe   April 2nd, 2008 5:57 pm ET

This picture says it all....Dumb and Dumber

VOTER FOR TRUTH AND DIGNITY IN AMERICA   April 2nd, 2008 5:54 pm ET

Bush will suck up to anyone. Only the wrong people. Maybe if
he would have made Americans his priority, he would have
been more popular. And, because he did not do that, his Presidency
has been a disaster, just like the next Republican, if he wins, will do.
And the evangelicals voted for Bush and will vote for McCain. Says
Dobson, eventually!!!!!!!!!!!!

Retired White Woman for Obama from Day 1.

Darth Vadik, CA   April 2nd, 2008 5:50 pm ET

What do you get when you put Bush and Putin together?

Two EVIL men in the same room.

sophia nyc   April 2nd, 2008 5:47 pm ET

Are their pants on? With the expression on the faces it seems they're not.

ANTI CLINTONS   April 2nd, 2008 5:46 pm ET

Putin isn't going to far, he has some loser that looks lost and wondering what the heck am I do here!

Bush is just going to go get richer from his over seas oil investments, he created the high price of gas. So one loser deserves another.

McCan't can't see eye to eye with anyone, he's to old to see.

Jeffim, miami   April 2nd, 2008 5:35 pm ET

How would US react to Russia forming military alliance with Cuba or Mexico? Well, the same way Russia reacts to Ukraine and Georgia becoming part of NATO.
I think the US political establishment still lives in the 90's, when Russia was a bankrupt weak state. Those days are over. Move over, Mr. McCain. The World is a different place today. Wake up.

Jerry   April 2nd, 2008 5:28 pm ET

The picture in this post depicts two destructive forces. Matter and anti-matter.......................

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