World Bank Group President Paul Wolfowitz met with President Vladimir Putin Thursday on his first trip to Russia, DPA reported. The two sides discussed cooperation in projects in environmental protection, education and other areas, the Kremlin said. "Russia supports the efforts of the World Bank in solving the problems facing the world's poorest countries," Putin said. Putin argued for the greater advancement of the Commonwealth of Independent States through the World Bank. Putin and Wolfowitz also discussed the upcoming Russian presidency of the group of seven leading industrial nations plus Russia (the Group of Eight, or G8) in 2006. The World Bank traditionally advises the G8 president on preparations for the group's summit meeting. The next G8 summit is scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg in July 2006. The World Bank has so far granted Russia credit of over 13.5 billion dollars.
