President Obama Holds a News Conference with President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia

Obama, Putin meet at last, exchange pleasantries

Obama's Russia visit to bring over $1.5 bln in deals


President Obama Seeks to Build Up Medvedev Over Putin
President Obama gave an interview to the most independent publication in Russia, Novaya Gazet, which has been highly critical of the Kremlin. The interview seemed to have been a way to build up Russian President Dmitry Medvedev - who also gave Novaya Gazet a recent interview -- and to seemingly dismiss Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.


Obama Puts Medvedev Ahead of Putin
In recent months, Medvedev has chosen to play a kind of "good cop" to Putin's "bad cop," giving an interview to the last remaining opposition newspaper; saying nice things about democracy and electoral reform; even smiling, on occasion, in photographs with foreign leaders. But none of this has resulted in profound changes in foreign policy, economic policy or human rights, leaving most observers inside and outside the country to assume that Medvedev is playing his part in an elaborate public relations campaign.

The decision to focus the American president's visit on Medvedev instead of Putin could therefore be what British civil servants call "very brave," not least because if you don't talk to the person who's really in charge, you can't expect to get much done.


If Barry spent more time with Medvedev it's because Putin wanted it that way. Bank on it.


Obama's Russian Business Plan
In meetings with Medvedev and Putin, Obama will seek an improved atmosphere for U.S. investment. That would benefit both nations, but the list of sticking points is long.

Obama's Low-Key Push in Russia

Georgia: Tbilisi Uneasily Watches Obama-Medvedev Summit
Yeah, they oughtta.

In Russia, Obama Is Met With Skepticism Rather Than Cheers
MOSCOW, July 7 -- If much of the world is gripped by Obamamania, Russia is decidedly not.

U.S.-Russia row over energy, not missiles
The U.S.-Russian row over missile defense is a ruse meant to cover the notion that Cold War dynamics are manifested now in the energy sector, Iranians say.
I suspect the Iranians are right.

Russia: US-Russian summit was 'groundbreaking'
BHO is himself a 'shovel-ready' project, apparently.


***

Medvedev: Relationship with Putin “just fine”

Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan may resume WTO talks in September

Putin to visit harvester-making plant in Rostov region

Russian Orthodox leader visits Turkey

Will Porsche Speak Chinese or Russian?
Don't forget Arabic.

Tajikistan: Medvedev to Visit in August

Gazprom held optimizing Underground Gas Storage operation meeting

Aliyev: Azerbaijan Gas Bound for West to Flow North
As in toward Russia, not Europe.

Experts: Russian-Azerbaijan deal won't jeopardize Nabucco pipeline project
HA!

Gazprom seeks to rattle EU with Azerbaijan gas agreement
DING DING DING!

EU, Russia struggle for stake in trans-Saharan gas pipeline
Who do YOU think is gonna win?

Russian investigators raid Sibir Energy
Gazprom just bought stakes...

Russian broadcaster edits out Putin send-up on South Park

Russia seeks new military base in Kyrgyzstan: Source

Russia 'shot down its own planes'
Half of their losses in Georgia last year were from friendly fire.