Russian President Vladimir Putin today greeted US National Security Adviser John Bolton with a joke in the Kremlin.
“...Sometimes it is surprising to see how the United States takes absolutely unprovoked steps towards Russia that we cannot call friendly. We practically don’t even respond to a single step of yours - no, this goes on and on,” Putin said, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“As far as I remember, the coat of arms of the United States shows an eagle: on one side it holds 13 arrows, and on the other side an olive branch as a sign of peace-loving policy - [a branch] with 13 olives. Question: has your eagle already eaten all the olives, all that’s left are the arrows?” – the Russian president clarified.
“...I didn’t bring an olive branch or olives with me,” Bolton admitted.
“I knew it,” Putin replied, and those present in the hall laughed.
The Russian leader said he was ready to meet with his American counterpart Donald Trump during a conference in Paris.
“Of course, President Trump will be very pleased to meet with you in Paris... Despite the differences that exist between us in accordance with the national interests of each country, it is nevertheless very useful for us to meet and find those points of common ground that can be for us useful,” Bolton assured.