Obama speaks to Russian Prez

The president-elect spoke to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today on a round of phone calls with leaders of other nations.

A statement released by the Kremlin says the two "expressed the determination to create constructive and positive interaction for the good of global stability and development" and agreed that their countries had a common responsibility to address "serious problems of a global nature."

Medvedev and Obama also believe an "early bilateral meeting" should be arranged.

Obama's office did not issue a statement describing the call, so this is the most we will know of the phone call as of today.

Look at him... already hard at work after all that crucial decision-making regarding the next first dog for his daughters Sasha and Malia.

[Source: ap.org]

Cheney inadvertently issues warning to Russia

In what was originally intended to be an admonishment of our western european friends, Vice President Dick Cheney instead vilified Russia for its invasion of Georgia.

"Does Russia really want to separate itself from the community of values that has fueled so much of its own economic progress?" asked lame duck Cheney at a gathering organized by the European House-Ambrosetti.

He continued on, goading for a larger alliance to include Georgia and Ukraine, despite Russian threats.

Russia's president, Dmitri A. Medvedev fired back, letting Cheney's criticism fall by the wayside. "Russia is a state that from now on must be reckoned with," said Medvedev. 

Of the U.S., he quips, "They are trying to put political pressure on us. We, of course, will not simply accept this situation. But they will not be able to do anything. And I would like to state as clearly as possible that this confrontation was not our choice."

It's getting chilly over here.

[Source: nytimes.com]