Despite Russia's opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, former U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was warmly received in Moscow Thursday in his current capacity as president of the World Bank.

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked the World Bank's chief for "very productive" cooperation and told Wolfowitz that the countries of the former Soviet Union still need "special attention" from the international community.

"I really hope with your arrival, the positive dynamics of relations with the World Bank we have seen in recent years will not lose any of its momentum," Putin said in televised remarks.
Putin also made reference to the World Bank's programs to help poor countries. "I would like to draw your attention to efforts undertaken by Russia to support the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which also need special attention from the international community," he said.

This was Wolfowitz's first trip to Russia since he took over as head of the Washington-based bank in June. He last came to Moscow as President Bush's deputy defense secretary. The Kremlin, a vocal opponent of the war against Saddam Hussein, appeared willing to forget its past disagreements with Wolfowitz.

He urged Russia to push ahead with institutional reforms and to fight corruption. Wolfowitz also said he intended to help Russia prepare for the next meeting of the Group of Eight industrial nations.