Beginning in 1989, Kuttler established a 20-year relationship with the Russian government, supporting educational, political and business initiatives. In 1989 Kuttler hosted his first Russian delegation at St. Petersburg College and embarked on a 10-day exchange program in which Vladimir Putin, then an associate vice president at Saint Petersburg State University in St. Petersburg, Russia, was his daily host. Kuttler made another two visits to Russia over the years, giving interviews on Russian national television and receiving invitations and several awards from Russian universities and institutions.
