Bono Meets Russian President Medvedev for Tea

PA Photos

As they prepare for their first-ever concert in Moscow as part of their '360 Degree' world tour, U2's singer Bono and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev met for tea on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the politician's holiday mansion near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The meeting proved to be something of a mutual love-fest with the pair praising each other in way that could easily be misconstrued as a form of courting. Speaking of the singer's philanthropic work in raising awareness of the problems facing Africa such as the spread of HIV/AIDS and widespread poverty, the 44-year-old president told Bono, "You are doing important things, because taking care of people is not only a job for politicians."

"The charity work that you and your colleagues do has brought you respect all over the world," Mr Medvedev added.

Bono informed Medvedev that by spending just 25p (30 cents) per day, the transference of the HIV virus from mother to child could be eradicated by 2015.

But it wasn't all just talk of the ills of the world. Recognising the Russian president's fondness of classic rock, Bono quipped how music can unite disparate tastes, saying, "I come here to cross the great divide between me, a Led Zeppelin fan, and you, the Deep Purple fan."