Medvedev Demands That "U.S. Must Talk To Russia"

September 19, 2008 (LPAC)--The United States, instead of "trying to be clever," must begin discussions with Russia on how to overcome the consequences of the crisis on the US stock market, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said during a meeting today with non-governmental organizations. Medvedev's statement was reported by Mayak radio. He said that the problems caused by the U.S. depression had spread to all market economies. The crisis would not have had such serious repercussions, if an agreement had been reached during the G-8 summit in Japan.

The US is prepared to help Russia with social development, he pointed out, but if the current trend in bilateral relations continues, "the US will soon be picking Presidents for Russia."

Yesterday, Medvedev had said at a reception for new ambassadors to Russia, that Russia and the US can maintain a constructive dialogue despite their differences over some international issues: "Despite a number of significant disagreements on certain international issues, we are convinced that we have what it takes to forge a constructive dialogue on a long-term basis," Medvedev said. He called ties with the US, one of Russia's foreign policy priorities; Novosti reported.

"The history of Russian-U.S. relations has seen plenty of imbroglios, but invariably common sense and pragmatism have prevailed." There are good foundations for relations, based on political dialogue, trade and economic relations, and investment activity. "It would be politically short-sighted to fritter away these achievements and get back to the old stereotypes," he said.