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Welcome to "Ask the White House" -- an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Administration officials and friends of the White House. Visit the "Ask the White House" archives to read other discussions with White House officials.

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Thank you for joining us on today's "Ask the White House." We invite you to visit the new web page dedicated to the President's upcoming trip to Europe and Russia, where you can read speeches and view photos. Click here to learn more.

Joseph, from Port Huron, Michigan writes:
What are all of the places the President will be going in Europe?

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
The President will visit Latvia, the Netherlands, Russia, and Georgia in that order. He will be arriving the evening of May 6th and departing May 10th.

Mark, from nashville writes:
What will the president be doing on his trip to Europe and Russia? I know he's going to meet with President Putin but what else? This is a question for both of you. mark

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
The President will meet with the leaders of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania in Riga, Latvia.

In the Netherlands, he will briefly meet with Queen Beatrix and meet with the Prime Minister.

In Georgia, he will meet with President Saakashvili and the head of the Georgian Parliament.

In addition to all of the cities he visits, he will meet community leaders or students.

R.D., from Furman University writes:
Do you believe that Russia is becoming a stronger democratic country or are you concerned about some of the events that have gone on inside Russia that has caused some to say that President Putin is pushing away democratic reform? Thanks.

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
Tom Graham: I think you need to take this in the long historical context. Russia has made historical progress since the breakup of the Soviet Union in the last 15 years. It's been a difficult transition and there have been both significant steps forward and backward as the Russians sort out their future. We have been concerned and the President has been concerned about certain steps in Russia that we believe are backsliding on democracy, in particular the concentration of power in the Kremlin. The President has raised these concerns to President Putin and we have raised them to other Russian officials. Just last week, President Putin gave a speech similar to the President's State of the Union speech focused on the theme of democracy and freedom in Russia, which in some ways was in response to some of the concerns we have raised.

President Putin laid out a forward-looking strategy in building a stronger Democracy in Russia and as that vision is translated into reality, we believe it will be good for Russia and for U.S.-Russian Partnership.

Joshua, from Milwaukee Wisconsin writes:
what will president bush discuss on his trip to europe

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
The President will celebrate the defeat of Nazism in World War II, the end of Communism after the Cold War, and the advance of freedom throughout Europe. He will discuss ways in which free countries can promote freedom in the world working together and advance security and prosperity for their peoples. He looks forward to honoring the American and Allied soldiers who made possible the victory over Nazism 60 years ago and honoring the sacrifices of those nations who suffered during World War II and the Cold War.

The President will honor in Moscow the enormous sacrifices of the Russian people and their contribution to the defeat over Nazism. He will welcome the U.S.-Russia partnership we are building. The President will also expand on his vision of freedom and democracy and responsibilities that entails. In particular, he will note that democracy is more than national sovereignty and free elections; but also includes tolerance, respect for minority rights, rule of law, and strong, free institutions.

In Georgia, the President will welcome the advance of democracy after the peaceful Rose Revolution and show America's support for Georgia's reforms and it's future.

Westin, from Arlington, VA writes:
With the United States healing relations with Russia, will Russian Oil in the U.S. being part of the agenda?

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
Tom Graham: Energy cooperation has always been on the agenda of US-Russian relations. It is something the two Presidents talked about in their initial meetings. We have been working with the Russians over the past few years trying to develop energy cooperations that helps develop Russia's domestic energy sector, brings Russian energy--particularly oil and gas to global markets and therefore helps diversify energy supplies. To be frank, we have not achieved all that we would like to in this area of Russia, but remains one of tremendous potential and we will continue to work with the Russians on the agenda of this area.

giorgi, from tbilisi, georgia writes:
What does Mr. president feel about the development of democracy in Georgia?

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
Ambassador Dan Fried: The President is very much looking forward to his visit to Georgia. This is the first time an American President has ever been to Georgia. The President has welcomed Georgia's democratic reforms and supports Georgia's future as a country moving closer to the Euro-Atlantic community.

Georgia has a lot of work to do, but the United States will continue to support Georgia as its democratic and free markets advance.

Mark, from Chicago writes:
Thank you for your time. I'd like to know what Russia has done as one of our "allies" in the War on Terror? As I see it, they barely helped in Afghanistan, opposed us going into Iraq, and have done little to sever ties with countries that support terrorism.

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
Tom Graham: Thank you for that question, Mark.

We think that there has been significant cooperation between the United States and Russia in the War on Terror. Russia did work with us very closely in the initial phases in the war in Afghanistan against al-Qaeda and the Taliban tyrants. While there were differences with Iraq, the importance is that we have put those differences behind us and we are working better with the Russians and indeed all our European allies in building a free and democratic Iraq. There has also been very good cooperation between our law enforcement services, our militaries and our diplomats in disrupting terrorists networks, cutting off financial flows, and helping in defeat terrorists around the globe. We believe this is one of the success stories in the U.S.-Russian relations in the past few years.

One of the things we would like to achieve on this trip to Europe is an even deeper commitment to working together in defeating the terrorist challenge over the next several years.

Russians suffered what they see as their 9/11 last year in the Beslan School tragedy. This has only furthered our countries commitment and cooperation in the War on Terrorism. Both U.S. and Russia are committed to keeping the most horrible weapons out of the hands of terrorists. One of the issues the two Presidents discussed in the last meeting in Bratislava was nuclear security cooperation, and we are enhancing our efforts to ensure that nuclear materials and nuclear facilities not only in the United States and Russia and around the globe are secure against terrorist threats.

Thank you again for that question.

James, from Omaha, Nebraska writes:
Are the goals for the President's trip part of a comprehensive strategy to mend relations with prominent European allies who have become less friendlycooperative as a result of US policies in Iraq?

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
Ambassador Dan Fried: Since his re-election, the President has reached out to Europe and urged that the United States and Europe work together to enhance security and freedom around the world. In his February trip to NATO, the European Union, and Slovakia, the President laid out an agenda for cooperation with Europe in the 21st century. European leaders including those who differed with the United States over Iraq responded positively and we are working together.

In this trip, the President will talk about the advance of freedom in Europe and beyond Europe in the 60 years since the end of World War II. He will urge that free nations accept their responsibilities to support freedom in the world.

nancy, from corbin kentucky writes:
Hello could you tell me if the first lady is going with the president

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
Yes, the President and Mrs. Bush will both be going to Europe.

nancy, from corbin kentucky writes:
Hello could you tell me if the first lady is going with the president

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
Yes, the President and Mrs. Bush will both be going to Europe.

Jonathan, from Spartanburg, South Carolina writes:
What is the President's position in regard to the perceived notion that the Russian Federation is trying to reclaim its dominance in Eastern Europe?

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
The President has welcomed the advance of freedom in Europe and the enlargement of NATO and the European Union to many of Europe's new democracies.

The President believes that Russia has an important contribution to make to Europe's future. The advance of democracy and freedom in Russia, along with the advance of democracy in those countries that emerged from the wreckage of the Soviet Union, will provide for a firm foundation for the sovereignty and future prosperity for all of those countries. That will be good for Russia and its neighbors, for Europe, and the United States.

ismael, from rhode island writes:
Can you tell me who the speaker of the house is ?

Ambassador Daniel Fried and Thomas Graham
This will be our last question and we will relate it to the trip.

As you know, the Speaker of the House of Representatives is Representative Dennis Hastert of Illinois.

In case you meant who the Speaker of Parliament of Georgia is, with whom the President will meet, it is Speaker Burjanadze.

Hope this helps and hope you will follow the President's trip to Europe.