Putin digs at Yushchenko-Saakashvili rendezvous

Answering a question from a Russian journalist if he knew about the visit of Georgia president to Kyiv the same day, Putin responded, «Do you think I keep track of Saakashvili movements and activities?»

«I know what we’ve been busy with with Tymoshenko. My negotiating team includes my first deputy, another 2 deputies for industry, energy and transport. We discussed cooperation in space, engineering, nuclear power engineering and plane-building», the Russian premier explained.

«We have reached agreements on several issues vital to both Russia and Ukraine», he added.

«I’ve no idea what our colleagues have been busy with. I think that both presidents [switching to a joking tone] always have something to talk about, something to discuss, somewhere to go», Putin jibed.

He then quoted the lines of a well-known poem running as «retired warriors recalled their past days and the battles they fought in», changing the last line to «and the battles they lost».

«What can I advise to both presidents? They should better have supper without neckties. Neckties are expensive now. What will happen if Saakashvili sups on his necktie?» [A reference to a video footage of the time of the Georgia-Russia 2008 war showing Saakashvili chewing on his necktie during a telephone conversation].

To this jibe Yulia Tymoshenko added, laughingly, that she would have her supper wearing no tie [in a likely hint that she was hungry].