The president suggested that the briefcase Kerry was carrying as he contained some sort of a monetary incentive for the upcoming talks.
"When I saw you leaving the plane and carrying your belongings, I was dismayed. On one hand, it’s quite a democratic way of conduct, but on the other hand I thought, was there no one to assist the Secretary of State in carrying his luggage? Then I thought, perhaps there was something in that briefcase that you couldn’t entrust to anyone. Was it money for bargaining on key issues?" Putin jokingly inquired.
In response, the Secretary of State promised to present the contents of the briefcase during a private meeting.
"When we have a private moment, I’ll show you what’s in my briefcase. And I think you’ll be surprised. Pleasantly," Kerry replied.
Earlier on Wednesday, Kerry landed in Moscow for a two-day visit, which is the first this year and the third over the past 12 months.
