Russian Imperialism

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement to Parliament today that the demise of the Soviet Union was “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.” The recent actions by the Russian president to consolidate power, resurrect communist symbols, attack rivals, undermine popular results in the Ukraine election and criticize the treatment of Russian minorities in former Soviet Republics are alarming.

At a time when U.S. influence has waned across the world and our motives for action in Iraq are being questioned, President Bush would be well served by using his visit to Russia, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe on May 9, to call for true democratic reforms in Russia.