ST. PETERSBURG, July 14 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown President George W. Bush his first car after the U.S. leader arrived in St. Petersburg for bilateral talks Friday.
The car, a 30-year old vintage Zaporozhets, a mini car that had a reputation as the notorious lemon of all Soviet-made motor vehicles, was in excellent condition, but after peering inside, the two leaders preferred not to ride it.
Putin said in English that it was his first car, which he bought as a university student in 1972.
When the two presidents met, they hugged each other like good friends. Putin gave Laura Bush a bouquet of flowers. While the first ladies exchanged greetings, Bush and Putin had already started talking.
