Russia wants to seek common ground in relations with U.S. - Putin to Bolton
MOSCOW. Oct 23 (Interfax) - At a meeting with United States National Security Advisor John Bolton Russian President Vladimir Putin has upheld Russia's desire to seek common ground in the relations with the U.S., while Bolton said that Washington pursues the same goal in the relations with Moscow.
"Despite different approaches one can and needs to seek this common ground, as it seems to me," Putin said.
Bolton said in reply that this has been U.S.' desire, too.
Putin said that he would like to talk to Bolton, not only as with the U.S. president's national security advisor, but also as with a specialist in disarmament and arms control.
Bolton in turn said he hopes that he will find answers to Putin's questions, noting "but I didn't bring any olives." "This is what I thought about," Putin said. The Russian and U.S. delegations laughed at this remark.
The bald eagle on the U.S. national emblem is holding not only arrows in claws, but also an olive branch, the Russian president said. "As I understand, there is a bald eagle on the national emblem of the United States holding [in claws] 13 arrows on the one side, and an olive branch with 13 olives on the other, as a sign of peaceloving policy. The question is whether your bald eagle has already pecked up all olives and whether only arrows remained?" Putin said at a meeting with Bolton.
The delegations laughed at these words of the president.
"The olive branch is held in the right palm, demonstrating its priority," Bolton said.
There is an inscription saying "E Pluribus Unum" on the U.S. national emblem, Putin said.