U.S. President avoids media after G8 summit

July 17

U.S. President George W. Bush was the only G8 leader who refused to talk to the press after the St. Petersburg summit.

Vladimir Putin, as the host, was the first to address a news conference. During the three days of the summit he met journalists more often than his counterparts, giving three news conferences, two of which ended after midnight.

French President Jacques Chirac gave two news conferences in the International Media Center. All G8 leaders addressed journalists on Monday, after the summit closed. Some news conferences were held simultaneously.

President Bush left immediately after the event. At the beginning of the outreach meeting with invited leaders, the U.S. leader told his counterparts that he had to leave St. Petersburg at about 2:15 p.m. local time in order to let his security escort go home.