Near the end of the Bush's term, U.S.-Russia relations were starting to sour. It mostly began over the missile defense shield that we wanted to put in Eastern Europe. Russia saw this as a threat to them because the missiles would be in their backyard. Then it got uglier after the war between Russia and Georgia over the South Ossetian region.
Luckily things have simmered. Today it was reported that Russian President Dmity Medvedev spoke with President Barack Obama. It was reported to be a fairly short conversation in which Medvedev wished Obama good luck.
It is great to see that both have started off on such good ground. Both Medvedev and Obama seem to be bright young men who can offer each of their countries a bright future. Now lets hope they can. As we can see, Bush and Putin started out to be good pals. It was a rocky relationship though at times and the same can happen with the current two leaders.
I might be mistaken but hasn't Putin been pushing his country to a more socialistic system? The current worldwide economic crises is not going to reassure anyone in eastern Europe that capitalism is the way to go.
It might be hard to convince some people out here in America. AIG is taking execs on junkets, CITI just purchased a $50 million, 12-seat company jet liner...this is all with bailout money. Over 50,000 jobs were lost yesterday.
Let the Russians do what they do and we should do what we do. That phone meant nothing more than standard greeting between work leaders.
No matter what anyone does, the Russians will always protest. Even if they disagree with something you are building in your own backyard, they will make a formal protest to it. The recent radar sites strung over Europe was a system which employed the [former] "Backscatter" system and ultra new technology combined. This was obviously protested by the Russians. When the "Dew Line" was incorporated over Canada, the Russians protested that, too. It interferes with their security, they say. They are US allies...what are they afraid of? They are fully aware of US policies and military mindset already.
Isn't this nice that Medvedev and Obama have spoken together on the phone? Gee! I'll bet a dime to a dollar that Daddy Putin allowed the long-distance international call, and most likely was the one to think of Medvedev calling Obama in the first place. Putin's old KGB mind and thought process always seems to prevail in Medvedev's life.
I'm not being critical here. Just old favorites keep coming back to my mind over the past history of Russia. Russia is an ally of the US. Putin and Medvedev know our capabilities and it is in their culture to argue over something-or-other now and again. It's also in their culture to always be politically correct; at least according to the Russian mind.
Yes, and I agree, Mr. Goldberg, that it is good to see a communication between Medvedev and The One. Bush and Putin were pals because they both are "Good Old Boys", but Putin is just about 200% smarter than Bush was.
Yes, again, Medvedev and The One ARE bright young men, aren't they? Reminds me of walking into a dark room, flipping on the switch and there, on the ceiling is a 7-watt light bulb burning. It is "bright" enough to still see in the dark, right? JK
John,
Not being critical? Geez I'd hate to see when you are.
Я не тороплюсь домой
Как глупо все и несерьезно
Я слишком больна тобой
Позволь позабыть обо всем
Я не тороплюсь домой
Темно за окном - значит поздно
Небо роняет звезды как слезы