fbpx

Obama says relationship with Putin not icy despite ‘tough guy’ stance

Russian President Vladimir Putin may seek to look like the tough guy in joint appearances with President Barack Obama, but Obama said in an interview that he and Putin have a pragmatic and respectful relationship.
[additional-authors]
February 6, 2014

Russian President Vladimir Putin may seek to look like the tough guy in joint appearances with President Barack Obama, but Obama said in an interview that he and Putin have a pragmatic and respectful relationship.

“I wouldn't call it icy,” Obama said in an interview with NBC host Bob Costas taped on Thursday as part of coverage of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

“He does have a public style where he likes to sit back and look a little bored during the course of joint interviews. My sense is that's part of his shtick back home politically as wanting to look like the tough guy,” Obama said in the interview, set to air on Friday evening.

“U.S. politicians have a different style. We tend to smile once in a while,” Obama said in excerpts of the interview released by NBC.

Obama canceled a visit to Moscow to visit Putin last year after Russia granted asylum to Edward Snowden, the former spy contractor whose leaks about U.S. surveillance operations rocked U.S. relations with allies and hurt Obama's popularity at home.

The leaders have also disagreed over how to respond to Syria's civil war. In a joint appearance after discussing Syria at a meeting in June, Obama and Putin both looked like they would rather have been somewhere else.

On Thursday, a recording of a private conversation between U.S. diplomats discussing protests in Ukraine was posted on YouTube, embarrassing the United States.

“I would say that since the video was first noted and tweeted out by the Russian government, I think it says something about Russia's role,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.

But Obama said the two leaders focus on issues of “mutual concern” where they can work together.

“The truth of the matter is that when we are in meetings there are a lot of exchanges, there's a surprising amount of humor, and a lot of give and take. He's always treated me with the utmost respect,” Obama said.

Obama said U.S. and Russian law enforcement, military and intelligence officials have been in “constant communications” to ensure safety at the Sochi Olympics.

“I think the Russians have an enormous stake, obviously, in preventing any kind of terrorist act or violence at these venues. They have put a lot of resources into it,” he said.

Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Bernard Orr

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

The Joy Within

Sukkot asks us to receive the harvest that has actually come in—not the one we imagined or wished for.

A Bisl Sukkot ~ Don’t Be Afraid, Go Outside

The sukkah reminds us to go out into the world, especially when the comforts of insularity beckon us closer—to explore paths we have yet to take and seek journeys ready for wandering.

A Harira Hug in the Sukkah

I love making soup for this holiday because even if the days are still warm, the cooler evenings make you start craving something warm and comforting.

The Beat Goes On

While so much of the world seems obsessed with and consumed by its hatred of Israel and Jews, Israelis continue to build, create, work, celebrate, argue, raise families, and plan for the future.

Viral AI Video Targets Jewish Comedian

“The biggest concern is that people now have a pathway to shut down Jewish voices through complete falsities that people will believe. … For the future of Jewish entertainment, it’s very scary.”

Yiddish Historians: Writing in Their Own Language for Their Own People

Mark Smith has compiled an important anthology of Jewish history using 49 works by Yiddish historians to recreate or at least open the door to a world of Jewish thought that was once almost mainstream, but which no longer exists, except in the minds of too few specialists.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.