Putin Cancels Visit To G8 Summit In U.S.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has canceled a planned visit to the United States, where he had been expected to attend a Group of Eight economic summit in late May and meet for talks with President Barack Obama.

The White House says Putin told Obama by telephone on May 9 that he needs to finish setting up his new cabinet.

Instead, Russia's newly appointed Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is expected to attend the G8 summit at Camp David, Maryland, on May 18-19.

The Obama administration had moved the G8 gathering to Camp David from a planned venue in Chicago partly to accommodate Putin.

NATO heads of state are gathering in Chicago on May 20.

The White House says Obama and Putin have agreed to meet in June on the sidelines of another economic gathering.

Based on reporting by AP and ITAR-TASS