BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Next month's summit in Slovakia between U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin will also be attended by their wives.
The Markiza Television network said Monday first lady Laura Bush and her Russian counterpart, Lyudmila Putin, will accompany their husbands on the first official meeting between the Russian and American leaders since President Bush's inauguration for his second term.
Bush will arrive with his wife and incoming Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice while President Putin and his wife will be accompanied by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Although plans are yet to be finalized, the summit is expected to take place Feb. 24 in a four hour meeting in Bratislava Castle.
Putin and Bush have forged a close personal relationship in recent years. Bush frequently refers to Putin in public by his first name and has described him as a "good friend".
