WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration says President Barack Obama can work constructively with Russia when he visits St. Petersburg next week despite many policy differences between Moscow and Washington.
But administration officials, in a briefing for reporters, say Obama's trip is less a visit to Russia than a trip to the Group of 20 economic summit being held there.
It is a reflection of the tense U.S.-Russian relationship, which has deteriorated since Obama canceled a summit in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin after Russia granted asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden.
Obama will meet privately with foreign counterparts while at the G-20. But no meeting is scheduled with Putin.
