Off on his high-profile glad-handing trip to Europe, Gov. Charlie Crist made a pass through Russia to ask our oil-rich, ex-Communist friends to buy Florida real estate. The Florida Association of Realtors hitched along for the ride.

“The Governor has brought much needed visibility throughout Europe to Florida’s commercial and residential real estate market,“ said John Sebree, Vice President of Public Policy for the Florida Realtors Association. “Investment capital is flush and our market is clearly being seen as one of value to its Russian investors.”

It wasn't the only purpose. During a meeting with Maxim Kalinin, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in St. Petersburg, he also pushed for greater Florida exports into Russia.

“The potential for Florida business in Russia can hardly be overestimated,” Crist said. “I am proud to represent the Sunshine state in the earliest stages of what will surely become a strong and mutually beneficial relationship.”

Governor Crist is one of the first state leaders to visit St. Petersburg, Russia, since President Bush and Former President and Current Prime Minister Putin announced the US-Russia Business Dialogue earlier this year.

During a previous stop in the United Kingdom, Florida Realtors lobbied for a renewed British invasion of Florida, selling the benefits of home ownership in the Sunshine State with the depreciated dollar.