That cannot be a bad thing. Below are the official "readouts," first from http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/6936 and then from http://m.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/28/readout-president-s-call-president-putin:
President Putin called U.S. President Barack Obama today. President Putin asked President Obama if he was Muslim. President Obama said he was not. President Putin then asked President Obama if a fifth column was behind the t-shirts being worn by Ukrainian young women with the message "Don't give it to a Russian." President Obama said there was not. President Putin concluded the telephone call by asking President Obama if he would like an autographed copy of a photograph of President Putin bare chested. President Obama replied by asking President Putin if he would like an autographed photograph of him, President Obama, bare chested. President Putin told President Obama that he could take him at arm wrestling or rock, paper, scissors, shoot. President Obama said maybe at arm wrestling or rock, paper, scissors, but not at shoot.
ARRIGHT, FINE!
Eng.kremlin:
Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the United States of America Barack Obama.
The two leaders continued exchanging views on the crisis in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin drew Barack Obama’s attention to continued rampage of extremists who are committing acts of intimidation towards peaceful residents, government authorities and law enforcement agencies in various regions and in Kiev with impunity.
In light of this, the President of Russia suggested examining possible steps the global community can take to help stabilise the situation. The two presidents agreed that specific parameters for this joint work will be discussed by the Russian and US foreign ministers in the near future.
Vladimir Putin also pointed out that Transnistria is essentially experiencing a blockade, which significantly complicate the living conditions for the region’s residents, impeding their movement and normal trade and economic activities. He stressed that Russia stands for the fair and comprehensive settlement of the Transnistria conflict and hopes for effective work in the existing 5+2 negotiation format.
Whitehouse.gov:
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 28, 2014
Readout of the President’s Call with President Putin
President Putin called President Obama today to discuss the U.S. proposal for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis in Ukraine, which Secretary Kerry had again presented to Foreign Minister Lavrov at the meeting at the Hague earlier this week, and which we developed following U.S. consultations with our Ukrainian and European partners. President Obama suggested that Russia put a concrete response in writing and the presidents agreed that Kerry and Lavrov would meet to discuss next steps.
President Obama noted that the Ukrainian government continues to take a restrained and de-escalatory approach to the crisis and is moving ahead with constitutional reform and democratic elections, and urged Russia to support this process and avoid further provocations, including the buildup of forces on its border with Ukraine.
President Obama underscored to President Putin that the United States continues to support a diplomatic path in close consultation with the Government of Ukraine and in support of the Ukrainian people with the aim of de-escalation of the crisis. President Obama made clear that this remains possible only if Russia pulls back its troops and does not take any steps to further violate Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. President Obama reiterated that the United States has strongly opposed the actions that Russia has already taken to violate Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Putin called U.S. President Barack Obama today. President Putin asked President Obama if he was Muslim. President Obama said he was not. President Putin then asked President Obama if a fifth column was behind the t-shirts being worn by Ukrainian young women with the message "Don't give it to a Russian." President Obama said there was not. President Putin concluded the telephone call by asking President Obama if he would like an autographed copy of a photograph of President Putin bare chested. President Obama replied by asking President Putin if he would like an autographed photograph of him, President Obama, bare chested. President Putin told President Obama that he could take him at arm wrestling or rock, paper, scissors, shoot. President Obama said maybe at arm wrestling or rock, paper, scissors, but not at shoot.
ARRIGHT, FINE!
Eng.kremlin:
Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the United States of America Barack Obama.
The two leaders continued exchanging views on the crisis in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin drew Barack Obama’s attention to continued rampage of extremists who are committing acts of intimidation towards peaceful residents, government authorities and law enforcement agencies in various regions and in Kiev with impunity.
In light of this, the President of Russia suggested examining possible steps the global community can take to help stabilise the situation. The two presidents agreed that specific parameters for this joint work will be discussed by the Russian and US foreign ministers in the near future.
Vladimir Putin also pointed out that Transnistria is essentially experiencing a blockade, which significantly complicate the living conditions for the region’s residents, impeding their movement and normal trade and economic activities. He stressed that Russia stands for the fair and comprehensive settlement of the Transnistria conflict and hopes for effective work in the existing 5+2 negotiation format.
Whitehouse.gov:
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 28, 2014
Readout of the President’s Call with President Putin
President Putin called President Obama today to discuss the U.S. proposal for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis in Ukraine, which Secretary Kerry had again presented to Foreign Minister Lavrov at the meeting at the Hague earlier this week, and which we developed following U.S. consultations with our Ukrainian and European partners. President Obama suggested that Russia put a concrete response in writing and the presidents agreed that Kerry and Lavrov would meet to discuss next steps.
President Obama noted that the Ukrainian government continues to take a restrained and de-escalatory approach to the crisis and is moving ahead with constitutional reform and democratic elections, and urged Russia to support this process and avoid further provocations, including the buildup of forces on its border with Ukraine.
President Obama underscored to President Putin that the United States continues to support a diplomatic path in close consultation with the Government of Ukraine and in support of the Ukrainian people with the aim of de-escalation of the crisis. President Obama made clear that this remains possible only if Russia pulls back its troops and does not take any steps to further violate Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. President Obama reiterated that the United States has strongly opposed the actions that Russia has already taken to violate Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
