Bill Clinton's own Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, now an investment consultant and in Moscow for a conference, denounced the G-8 status that Russia received during the Clinton Administration, saying it was undeserved. "In terms of some criteria on open society, democracy, there are more and more questions, frankly," said Albright.

At the same time, presidential contender John McCain denounced Russia, expressing suport for Gary Kasparov, in the Financial Times. He stated: "Have no doubt about my feeling about Mr. Putin and the direction he is taking Russia. The retrogression which is really I think very unfortunate, and not just for the Russian people but over the time could lead to worsening relations between the US and Russia. That is why [Senator] Joe Lieberman and I advocated a no-show [for President Bush] in St Petersburg [at the G-8 meeting]."

Comes a reckoning, Russia. Soon President Bush, who "looked into the eyes of Putin," will be history. He will be repaced by someone who will take much different attitude towards Russia.