Hamburgers : Obama takes Russian President out for a burger

http://www.timesofearth.com/ US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have taken a break from bilateral meetings at the White House to travel outside Washington DC for a quick, informal lunch. Skip related content

Traveling by motorcade, the two leaders headed for Ray's Hell Burger in Arlington, Virginia, a popular spot where Obama ate last year with Vice President Joe Biden.

A cheer went up from customers when the presidents walked in, but the lunch crowd largely left the presidents alone. During their meal, Obama and Medvedev sat at a table with their interpreters, sharing a conversation through them.

The US president had a cheeseburger with cheddar cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato and pickles, whilst his Russian guest had a cheeseburger with cheddar, onion, jalapenos and mushrooms.

Obama drank iced tea and Medvedev sipped a Coke, while the presidents, both in shirt sleeves on a hot summer day, shared a portion of fries.

Later in the day, and back to official business, the two leaders held a joint news conference at the East Room in the White House.

Obama declared that he and Medvedev had "succeeded in resetting" the relationship between the former Cold War adversaries that had dipped to dangerously low levels in recent years.

He directly acknowledged differences in some areas, such as Moscow's tensions with neighbouring Georgia, but said "we addressed those differences candidly."

Obama also announced that the US and Russia had agreed to expand cooperation on intelligence and the counterterror fight and worked on strengthening economic ties between the nations.

The US leader gave Russia perhaps the biggest gift it could have wanted from the meetings: an unqualified, hearty plug for Moscow's ascension to the World Trade Organisation. Russia has long wanted membership but US support in the past has come with conditions.

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[KillgoreES88]

Now this is how Governments should be run. It's so nice to see two of the most overworked and relyed on Presidents just relaxing and having small talk like normal men.

[UberVersatile]

I caught a nice thing. The russian president asks why he pays cash. Obama says "these credit card companies charge you know..." and then i cant hear it good. But nice to know he cares/knows about these things. Use Cash people! Can't be traced, easily changable and cheaper for small business!

[jejeroy]

poor them they just want to relax and eat a dam burger but they are fellow by an army of journalist

[Superking890]

we need all the worlds leader ordering out and eating together

[DIMGMIKE]

In Russia they eat siberianbearburger.

[quelita28]

Peaceful relationships always.

[MrLobster1988]

Fck the america and i wont eat a burger

[kmdroell]

A real President would say : " Pack every food that you got into my car and shut up . I am the President and you can be lucky not to be sent to Guantanamo . " .

[UberVersatile]

@drmiess He said they charge people for transactions.

[UberVersatile]

@yoshiotamura Nice catch. Damn that was disrespectful. There are even body guards around the car...who is gonna steal it...