The latest: Bush Stops Short of Pressuring Putin on Democracy in Russia

15.07.2006
Bush Stops Short of Pressuring Putin on Democracy in Russia
President Bush backed away on Saturday from a public confrontation over Russia’s democracy with President Vladimir Putin, adhering to a pledge not to lecture the Kremlin leader.

15.07.2006
U.S. and Russia Leaders Unveil Nuclear Deal, Blame Middle East Violence on Hizbollah
The United States and Russia announced on Saturday a plan to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by setting up international enrichment centers as their leaders sought to give a boost to a big-power summit. The two leaders blamed the upsurge in Middle East violence squarely on Lebanon-based Hizbollah guerrillas.

15.07.2006
Russian Communists Protest Against G8 Summit in St. Petersburg
In a protest far removed from past massive anti-G8 rallies in the West, some 300 Russians braved a ban and police cordons to demonstrate against this year’s big-power summit on Saturday. Rights campaigners say the former imperial capital has been cleared of potential trouble-makers ahead of a summit President Putin is using to showcase his rule.

15.07.2006
Russian Defense Minister Urges Hizbollah to Abandon “Terrorist Methods”
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov on Saturday warned that other nations could be drawn into the escalating Middle East conflict, which he called “a war that has begun.” Russia is using its contacts with radical Muslims to try to promote a resolution, he said.

15.07.2006
Bush, Putin Seek to “Synchronize Watches” Before G8 Kicks Off
President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to bridge differences on a host of tense global issues. Putin told reporters before the Saturday session that it was time “to synchronize our watches.”

15.07.2006
Russia Ready to Coordinate Bird Flu Monitoring — Official
Russia’s chief epidemiologist said Saturday that Russia had volunteered to take the lead in coordinating bird flu monitoring in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

15.07.2006
Russia, U.S. Negotiators Fail to Meet G8 Deadline in WTO Talks
Russian and U.S. negotiators failed in marathon talks that ended on Saturday to strike a bilateral deal to pave the way for Russia to join the World Trade Organization, both sides said. “A final agreement has not been reached, but significant progress was made,” a spokesman for U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said.

15.07.2006
Russia’s FSB Chief Urges Chechen Rebels to Lay Down Arms
Russia’s security chief on Saturday promised Chechen rebels a fair trial if they surrender within 15 days, as Russia seeks to further weaken rebel forces after the killing of a key warlord. Patrushev’s statement follows the death of Shamil Basayev, who had claimed responsibility for a series of heinous terrorist acts of the past years.

15.07.2006
Russian TV Presenter Barred From Entering Ukraine
Ukraine has barred Russia’s top TV presenter Mikhail Leontiev from entering the country in what is seen as a response to his derogatory remarks about the Ukrainian nation and its president Viktor Yushchenko. Leontiev hosts a political analysis program on Russian’s pro-Kremlin television channel.

15.07.2006
Putin, Bush Meet for Dinner On G8 Eve
U.S. President George W. Bush says he enjoys a “solid friendship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite all the differences. The Bushes and the Putins had a relaxed dinner on Friday night at a villa on the grounds of the opulent 18th century Konstantin Palace, the venue Putin had chosen as headquarters for the G8 summit.

15.07.2006
U.S., Russia Appear Closer to WTO Deal
Russia appeared close to gaining a long-sought economic goal — U.S. support for membership in the World Trade Organization, the group that sets the rules for global trade. U.S. and Russian trade negotiators were working to wrap up the talks so that a deal could be announced by George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin when the two leaders meet for talks Saturday.

15.07.2006
Top Executive in Russia’s Yukos Faces News Charges
Russian prosecutors have brought tax evasion charges against Yukos’ top executive Vassily Alexanyan, his lawyer told the press Friday. Alexanyan, arrested in April of this year, was initially accused of embezzlement and money laundering.

15.07.2006
U.S. President Bush Meets Russia’s Beleaguered NGOs in St. Petersburg
President George W. Bush, arriving in Russia for a weekend big-power summit, on Friday met local pressure groups who say Kremlin backsliding on democracy has meant a clampdown on their activities.