WHITE HOUSE NOTEBOOK: Russia offers its viewers a choice between soccer or statesmanship

WHITE HOUSE NOTEBOOK: For Russia, Obama or soccer?

MOSCOW — Millions of Russians were expected to tune out President Barack Obama’s news conference Monday with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and instead tune in to a rebroadcast of a June 13 Russian league soccer match on the main state-run sports channel.

The match, originally seen by a limited audience via satellite, became controversial after allegations of match-fixing. British bookmakers had reported irregular betting before the game between Krylya Sovietov and Terek Grozny, which Terek won 3-2.

It was unclear whether Russia was trying to quash viewership of the news conference, where Obama and Medvedev announced preliminary agreement to reduce their massive stockpiles of nuclear weapons.

Russia owns or strongly influences the country’s main nationwide TV channels.

The country’s leaders have encouraged apathy toward politics, and also may have been uneasy about giving too much airtime to Obama, who is wildly popular in many parts of Europe.

On Tuesday, Obama planned to deliver a major speech on U.S.-Russia relations at commencement ceremonies at the New Economic School in Gostinny Dvor, part of the president’s effort to reach out to a Russian public that harbors hard feelings toward America.

The speech is scheduled to be broadcast on the same 24-hour state channel that televised Monday’s news conference.

No word yet on a possible competing broadcast.

During the news conference, Obama ducked a question about who really is in charge of Russia.

Is it Medvedev, or is it Vladimir Putin, the former president-turned-prime minister who positioned Medvedev to succeed him?

“My understanding is, is that President Medvedev is the president, Prime Minister Putin is the prime minister, and they allocate power in accordance with Russia’s form of government in the same way that we allocate power in the United States,” Obama said.

Obama and Putin were scheduled to meet for the first time Tuesday, over breakfast.

Obama went on to say that his interest is in dealing directly with his counterpart, Medvedev, but also in reaching out to Putin and “all other influential sectors in Russian society” so he can understand the needs and concerns of the Russian people.

His “strong impression,” he said, is that Medvedev and Putin are working well together.

“And our interest is dealing with the Russian government as a whole in order to achieve the improved bilateral relationship that I think can be accomplished,” Obama said.

Medvedev, who appeared to be wearing the same reddish-hued tie as Obama, warmly welcomed his guest, referring to him as “Mr. President, Dear Barack.”

In turn, Obama seemed equally deferential, wanting to be seen as taking the countries’ strained relationship in a new direction.

“Well, I think President Medvedev said it well,” Obama said in response to a question about the spread of nuclear weapons. Medvedev had already given his answer.

Later on, when the questioning turned to the situation in Afghanistan, Obama said: “And President Medvedev is right.”

Obama also said he trusts Medvedev to follow through on the agreements they announced Monday.

Security was tight in the blocks surrounding Red Square and the Kremlin. Snipers were positioned in at least one tower of the Kremlin, riot police milled around and crowds were kept out of Red Square until well after Obama had arrived to meet with Medvedev.

A popular shopping center steps from the Kremlin was closed entirely.

Russians seemed to take it all in stride, with some appearing indifferent to or even unaware of the American president’s presence.

Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” blared from the speakers of a nearby restaurant.

First lady Michelle Obama was the first to exit Air Force One after it landed at Vnukovo Airport, followed by Obama and their two daughters. The president held hands with younger daughter Sasha, 8, and led her down the steps. Mrs. Obama followed, hand-in-hand, with their elder daughter, 11-year-old Malia. The four chatted and smiled as they hurried down the steps.

Russian officials, including Sergei Kislyak, its ambassador to the United States, and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov greeted them, though most of the Russians’ attention during the runway chat was devoted to Mrs. Obama.

Russian first lady Svetlana Medvedeva later led Mrs. Obama, Malia and Sasha on a tour of the Kremlin while President Obama sat down with Medvedev. They took in the Kremlin’s Winter Garden, the Cathedral of the Assumption, the Armory and the State Diamond Fund, which is home to the 190-carat Orlov diamond and the world’s largest sapphire.

Associated Press writers Mike Eckel and Steve Gutterman contributed to this report.