WASHINGTON â€"  The White House says Russian President Vladimir Putin is skipping a planned visit to the United States this month for an economic summit and a much-anticipated meeting with President Barack Obama.

The White House says Obama and Putin spoke by phone Wednesday. The Russian leader told Obama that he needs to finish work setting up his new Cabinet. Putin took power this month, returning after six years to a post he had previously held.

Putin protege Dmitri Medvedev will attend the G-8 meeting instead.

The Obama administration had moved the G-8 gathering to the Camp David retreat instead of the planned venue in Chicago, partly to accommodate Putin.

The White House says Obama and Putin have agreed to meet next month on the sidelines of another economic gathering.