9 Aug 2013 16:07

Cancellation of Obama visit did not surprise Kremlin - Ushakov

MOSCOW. Aug 9 (INtefax) - The Kremlin was prepared for a cancellation of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Moscow, and its reaction to the news was quiet.

"We were prepared, given the discussions in the press and the political background created in the U.S. in connection with the Snowden problem. We were equally prepared for the visit and for its cancellation," Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said at a press briefing in Moscow in answer to a question from Interfax.

"Therefore, our reaction was quiet and in about the same tone we subsequently used in a public announcement. We take all this easy, aware that contacts will most likely be continued sooner or later," he said.