WASHINGTON - Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Barack Obama on Wednesday that he would not be able to attend the Group of Eight (G8) summit in Maryland later this month, the White House said, and will send Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in his place.

"Noting his responsibilities to finalize Cabinet appointments in the new Russian government, President Putin expressed his regret that he would be unable to attend the G8 Summit at Camp David on May 18-19," the White House said in a statement.