President Obama and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin spoke by phone Tuesday, 2 1/2 weeks before a Winter Olympics shadowed by worries about terrorism.
The presidents 'discussed how best to advance shared U.S.-Russian interests, including a safe and secure Sochi Olympics, for which the United States has offered its full assistance,' said a White House statement on the call.
A militant Islamist group posted a video this past weekend claiming responsibility for two bombings in Volgogradand and threatening attacks in Sochi.
Security officials are reportedly hunting down three potential female suicide bombers, at least one of whom is believed to be in Sochi,
The opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics is set for Feb. 7.
Members of Congress have also warned of potential security problems in Sochi.
The Kremlin reported that Putin and Obama spoke about an upcoming international conference on the violence in Syria, and did not mention the Olympics.
In its readout, the White House said that Obama and Putin also discussed Syria, trade and investment, and negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.
Contributing: news3blog.blogspot.com
Read the original story: Obama speaks to Putin about Olympics
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