Russia will never be back to the same point it started 14 years ago before the collapse of the USSR, said Vladimir Putin to the US President George W. Bush during the Bratislava summit yesterday.

George Bush did not hide that he was disappointed by Russia’s recent strategy, including interference in Ukraine’s affairs during its presidential polls and support for Iran in developing nuclear weapons.

Bush stressed that it is impossible to build a strong country without developing strong democracy.
The leaders of the two countries talked more than two hours, a meeting which resulted into mere disappointment and pressure.

Still, some analysts are quite optimistic about the summit, saying it will help Moscow and Washington to ease tense relations.

"Democracies have certain things in common - a rule of law and protection of minorities and a free press and a viable political opposition. I was able to share my concerns about Russia’s commitment in fulfilling these universal principles," said Mr. Bush after the meeting.

George Bush was skeptical about Mr. Putin’s statement that Russia is commited to democracy it had chosen 14 years ago. He stressed that Putin continues to repress opposition parties and an independent press. He provided an example with the Russian oil company YUKOS that was destroyed by the government as its owner backed opposition.

The US President hoped that Russia would come back to the path of democracy and would respect democratic freedoms of the Russian people.