Obama Told Russian President He Would Have More Flexibility

When President Obama met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Seoul on March, 26, 2012 a live microphone picked up a whispered conversation in which Obama told Medvedev to tell Putin that Obama would "have more flexibility" after his re-election.

Obama told Medvedev it was important for incoming President Vladimir Putin to "give me space" on missile defense and other difficult issues and that after the 2012 presidential election he would have "more flexibility." Medvedev said he would "transmit" the message to Putin.

“This is my last election," Obama said. "After my election I have more flexibility.” “I understand," Medvedev said. "I will transmit this information to Vladimir."