Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with Joe Biden during their meeting in Moscow today Photo: REUTERSJoe Biden Attacks Russia's Political System -- The Telegraph
Joe Biden, the US vice president, has warned Russia is being held back by corruption and the Kremlin's reluctance to embrace democracy.
In a speech that is likely to anger Russia's leaders who hate being criticised by their former Cold War foe, Mr Biden warned that attempts to modernise Russia's economy without political reform were likely to fail.
"Do not compromise on the basic tenets of democracy," he told an audience at Moscow State University. "You need not make that Faustian bargain."
Fresh from a meeting with Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, Mr Biden insisted he did not want to lecture Russians but then delivered a devastating critique of almost every part of Russia's political and legal system.
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My Comment: Typical Biden .... attacking his hosts right in front of their faces in their own home. If the Russian media reaction is any indication .... this is not going well back in Russia.
What is my take .... what VP Biden said was true .... but the forum that he used in saying it was not the right one. My prediction .... Sec. of State Clinton will be visiting Moscow in the next month or two to calm ruffled Russian feathers.