Russia, U.S.: Putin's Strategy of Persuasion

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to Russian ambassadors at the Russian Foreign Ministry on June 27, mentioned the need to start negotiations for replacing the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-1), set to expire in 2009. While insisting on mutual respect and equal footing in relations with the United States, Putin is working in the context of START-1 to portray Russia's former Cold War enemy as the irresponsible player in order to strengthen Moscow's policy positions.