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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) speaks with U2 frontman Bono during their walking in Bocharov Ruchei residence, near the Black Sea resort town of Sochi, which will host the 2014 Winter Olympics. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U2 frontman Bono vowed to fight against the spread of polio as they met Tuesday ahead of the Irish rock band's first ever concert in the country this week. (AFP)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev welcomed U2 frontman Bono to tea on Tuesday ahead of the group’s first ever Russian concert, and the Irish musician asked for Russia’s help in fighting AIDS.
“Taking care of people is not just what politicians do,” self-proclaimed rock music lover Medvedev told Bono, adding that U2’s music has united generations of people.
Their meeting on the sun-drenched veranda of Medvedev’s summer residence on the Black Sea comes a day before U2 take to the Moscow stage for their first ever performance in Russia.
Earlier this month in Italy, U2 resumed their 360 Degree Tour following a two-month absence while Bono recovered from a back injury.
Bono, sporting his trademark sunglasses and single earring, asked Medvedev to find a Russian firm to team up for his “Red” campaign, which raises money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Brands Nike, Microsoft, Apple and Starbucks have sold red products and donated part of the proceeds to the charity.
“Maybe you can find a Russian company, a Red Russian company, it’s your colour,” Bono told Medvedev, an apparent reference to the red flags and stars used by the Soviet Union.
Medvedev said he would think how Russia, which experts say has at least one million people infected with HIV, could contribute to the Red brand.
The two men also shared jokes about their tastes in music, with Bono declaring: “I come here to cross the great divide between me, a Led Zeppelin fan, and you, the Deep Purple fan.”
Medvedev, who has made much fuss of his devotion to the veteran British hard rock group, chuckled but replied in English that he also counted Led Zeppelin amongst his favourites.
Bono later said in a statement that he and the Kremlin chief had also discussed corruption as a means to ending poverty.
Since coming to office two years ago, Medvedev has vowed repeatedly to tackle Russia’s endemic corruption, though analysts say they have seen very little change so far.
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