U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Bush plans to discuss the escalating Mideast crisis.
Later today, Bush is scheduled to meet representatives of Russian nongovernmental organizations and then attend a social dinner hosted by Putin and his wife.
(Interfax, AP, ITAR-TASS)
MORE: Follow the events of the G8 summit in Russian at the site of RFE/RL's Russian Service.
Russia's Democratic Development
IS RUSSIAN DEMOCRACY MANAGING? Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Western powers seek to pressure Russia under the pretext of concern over its democratic development. He has said Russia is ready to listen to "well-intentioned criticism," but will not allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs. The Kremlin has been criticized for stifling political oppostion, increasing central control over the media, and cracking down on the work on nongovernmental organizations.
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