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Former President George W. Bush said on Sunday that he was shocked to discover Yevgeny Prigozhin — the Wagner Group's founder — served him dinner more than 17 years ago.
While speaking at the Yalta European Strategy conference, Bush was asked if he felt the news of Prigozhin's death in a plane crash was "shocking" to him. The conference was held in Kyiv, but Bush joined via video call.
"No, what's shocking to me is I saw a picture the other day of a G8 summit in St. Petersburg, where he was the guy serving me the food," Bush said.
"He was Putin's chef, and he was in the picture," said the former president, cracking a smile.
Bush said he couldn't recall meeting the man in person. "All I know is I survived," he added.
The former president was then asked if he thought Russian leader Vladimir Putin could "survive" the consequences of the Ukraine war if the conflict does not end in Moscow's favor.
"That's up to the Russian people. It's not up to the American people. It's not up to Ukrainian people," Bush replied. "It's up to the people of Russia to decide. They're smart people."
A photo dated July 14, 2006, shows the moment Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, met Prigozhin when the couple dined with Putin. Prigozhin appeared to be presenting or serving Bush with a drink.
While speaking at the Yalta European Strategy conference, Bush was asked if he felt the news of Prigozhin's death in a plane crash was "shocking" to him. The conference was held in Kyiv, but Bush joined via video call.
"No, what's shocking to me is I saw a picture the other day of a G8 summit in St. Petersburg, where he was the guy serving me the food," Bush said.
"He was Putin's chef, and he was in the picture," said the former president, cracking a smile.
Bush said he couldn't recall meeting the man in person. "All I know is I survived," he added.
The former president was then asked if he thought Russian leader Vladimir Putin could "survive" the consequences of the Ukraine war if the conflict does not end in Moscow's favor.
"That's up to the Russian people. It's not up to the American people. It's not up to Ukrainian people," Bush replied. "It's up to the people of Russia to decide. They're smart people."
A photo dated July 14, 2006, shows the moment Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, met Prigozhin when the couple dined with Putin. Prigozhin appeared to be presenting or serving Bush with a drink.