Former US president Bill Clinton told Vladimir Putin during a meeting on June 29, 2010 that he is planning to visit the Arctic. The Russian prime minister promised to arrange a guided tour of the North Pole for Mr Clinton and to show him the polar bears.

"I was happy when my wife (Hillary Clinton) told me about the invitation to visit the Arctic and Bear Island (meaning Alexandra Land in Franz Josef Land). I'd love to go," the former president said during the meeting. Mr Putin responded assuring the US guest that he would have an opportunity to work with polar bears.

Mr Putin visited Franz Josef Land, located about a thousand kilometers from the North Pole, in late April this year.