Putin "warmly" congratulates Bush on his victory

Gateway to Russia ^ | Nov. 5, 2004 | ITAR-TASS

[FairOpinion]

A telephone conversation was held today between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President George Bush.

The Kremlin press service said Putin warmly congratulated Bush on his re-election as president of the USA. During the conversation both sides expressed confidence that the considerable potential of Russian-US cooperation would be fully realized through joint efforts in the forthcoming period.

The heads of state discussed plans for bilateral contacts at various levels, including the summit level.

[FairOpinion]

I think Bush and Putin together can reshape the world.

Who needs France?

[aft_lizard]

It would be nice if we could somehow reach a deal for them to provide troops in Iraq for posterity reasons, but I doubt it.

[GarySpFc]

The Russians have their own war in Chechnya to fight.

[stopillegalimmigration]

Bush needs to check to make sure he still has his watch after shaking hands with Putin or Chirac. Only difference between the two is that Putin will appear more agreeable with Bush while working against him.

[Angry Republican]

Posting this for no other reason than I feel like it:

F.U. FRANCE!!!

[aft_lizard]

I realize that.

[etradervic]

[Dolphy]

In the aftermath of major combat in Iraq, Condi Rice said something like ignore Germany, forgive Russia and punish France. I'll trust her wisdom, even if forgiving Russia is just part of punishing Chirac who is busy rebuilding his anti-American coalition.

[Torie]

Can't you see the headline in The Nation - "One Tyrant Congratulates Another."

[maine-iac7]

I think Bush and Putin together can reshape the world

and Blair -

France and Germany have just snubbed their nose at Bush, and insulted Blair and Allawi in public.

They announced the THEY are gong to become the big cheeses

Good. like in good riddance.

Methinks Putin, Blair and "W" would form a much stronger alliance - and let the others stew in their juices...they'll do each other in.

[NordP]

Yep, more like.... "TRUST, BUT VERIFY" ALERT

[Torie]

The only problem is that Russia remains a relative basket case. It has little or no ability to reshape anything outside of its borders, or arguably within.

[Norman Bates]

Chirac irks me. What a phony display in Normandy this past June!

Perhaps we should make up with Putin.

[maine-iac7]

Putin wants to form an alliance to fight against terrorists...yes, he curtailed some freedoms after Beslan - hello, what's the Patriot act?

Maybe we need to get over this knee-jerk reaction to anything that comes out of Russia

The Russian people are a lot more like us than are the Germans or French...

[maine-iac7]

In the aftermath of major combat in Iraq, Condi Rice said something like ignore Germany, forgive Russia and punish France. I'll trust her wisdom, even if forgiving Russia is just part of punishing Chirac who is busy rebuilding his anti-American coalition.

in a nutshell

[CWOJackson]

It seems Putin is considering his choices: either the U.S. or France/Germany. He's not going to be able to keep playing both sides.

[FairOpinion]

I didn't meant to leave Blair out.

We have a powerful coalition: Bush, Blair, Putin, Howard, Berlusconi, Koizumi, Sharon, and many East European countries, not to mention the newly liberated Afghanistan and Iraq.

France and Germany pale into insignificance, like yapping poodles.

[spitlana]

The heads of state discussed plans for bilateral contacts at various levels, including the summit level

Well, there you have it. A plan for a summit--and Kerry thought he was the only one for such a thing.

[FairOpinion]

Putin made his choice some time ago: it's the US.

The key change occurred when Putin visited Bush's ranch and they agreed to scrap the ABM treaty. Most people don't realize the importance of that, but that signaled that we are not enemies any more.