15 Feb 2013 15:28

Russia regards Obama visit to Russia, his participation in G20 summit as two independent events - Ryabkov

MOSCOW. Feb 15 (Interfax) - Russia is operating under the assumption that the visit by U.S. President Barack Obama to Russia and his participation in the G20 summit are two independent issues.

"The U.S. president has an invitation to visit Russia. This invitation is naturally in force and he is considering it. As for his participation in the G20 summit, we are operating under the assumption that this issue is separate from the issue of his visit to Russia," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with Interfax.