Dmitri Medvedev

President Obama Should Reverse Bush Policy on European Deployment

March 4, 2009 -- President Obama is reconsidering the Bush administration's decision to deploy an untested missile defense system in Europe, indicating that he is taking a more realistic, technically grounded approach to missile defense. Given Russia's strong negative reaction to the planned deployment, experts at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) say it makes sense to reconsider this policy on strategic as well as technical grounds. They say U.S. security would be undermined by deploying an ineffective missile defense system that impedes U.S.-Russian nuclear weapons reductions and collaboration on key security issues.    » read more »

August 26, 2008 -- Chicago, IL -- "I condemn Russia's decision to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states and call upon all countries of the world not to accord any legitimacy to this action.

"The United States should call for a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to condemn Russia's decision in coordination with our European allies. The U.S. should lead within the UN and other international forums to cast a clear and unrelenting light on the decision, and to further isolate Russia internationally because of its actions. The OSCE must also send a serious monitoring group to Georgia.    » read more »

August 26, 2008 -- The United States condemns the decision by the Russian President to recognize as independent states the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This decision is inconsistent with numerous United Nations Security Council Resolutions that Russia has voted for in the past, and is also inconsistent with the French-brokered six-point ceasefire agreement which President Medvedev signed on August 12, 2008.*

The six-point agreement offered a peaceful way forward to resolve the conflict. We expect Russia to live up to its international commitments, reconsider this irresponsible decision, and follow the approach set out in the six-point agreement.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26, 2008 – President Bush condemned what he called Russia’s “irresponsible decision” today to recognize the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.

“Russia's action only exacerbates tensions and complicates diplomatic negotiations,” Bush, in Crawford, Texas, said in a statement.

The president’s response comes after a reported announcement by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that Moscow intends to formally recognize the two breakaway provinces in Georgia, where Russia continues to maintain troops in defiance of a cease-fire agreement and mounting international pressure to withdrawal.    » read more »

Aug 26, 2008 -- GORI, Georgia — Members of European Command's Joint Assessment team, accompanied by officials from the government of the Republic of Georgia, toured the embattled city of Gori to assess the level of damage, the status of relief efforts, and the return of displaced persons Aug. 25, 2008.

EUCOM Assessment Team Visits Gori For First Time Since Russian Invasion: TIBILSI, Georgia — U.S. service members from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command arrive on the flightline here, Aug. 18, 2008. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Ricky A. Bloom)    » read more »

August 23, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Yesterday, Russian military officials announced that the withdrawal of Russian military forces from undisputed Georgian territory was complete. Russian commanders claim to be implementing the ceasefire agreement of August 16, 2008, signed by Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, committing Russia to withdraw all military forces sent into Georgia after the 7th of August.    » read more »

August 25, 2008 -- "I am deeply concerned by today's appeal to President Medvedev by Russia's Federation Council and Duma, the upper and lower houses of Russia's parliament, to recognize the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries. I call on Russia's leadership to meet its commitments and not recognize these separatist regions.    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement regarding the inauguration of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev:

"I sincerely hope the beginning of the Medvedev presidency will also be the beginning of a new era for Russia and for U.S.- Russian relations. The next U.S. President should look forward to working closely with President Medvedev on the great issues of our day.

John McCain: Photo by Kyle Tsui (CC)    » read more »

April 6, 2008 -- Sochi, Russia -- PRESIDENT-ELECT MEDVEDEV: (As translated.) Good afternoon, Mr. President -- we meet again. I would like to once again thank you for warm congratulations on my election. I'm grateful for the congratulations.

President Bush greets Russian President-elect Dmitry Medvedev: White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President Putin and you, over these last eight years, have done a lot to advance Russian-U.S. relationship, and the relationship between Russia and the United States is a key factor of international security. When I officially assume my duties, I would like to do my best to keep up that relationship -- our relationship so there will be constructive engagement between us.    » read more »

Chicago, IL - March 03, 2008 -- "Yesterday, Russians went to the polls to elect a new president and begin the process of a peaceful transition of power in the Kremlin. Against the backdrop of hundreds of years of autocratic rule, Dmitri Medvedev's election as Russia's next president may appear to represent progress.    » read more »

March 3, 2008 -- Washington, DC –Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement on Sunday’s elections in Russia:

“Dmitry Medvedev is taking over one of the toughest jobs in the world. Russia is facing endemic corruption, demographic collapse, a brewing insurgency in the North Caucasus and spiraling inflation.    » read more »

3/2/2008 -- "Today’s presidential election in Russia – where the installation of Dmitriy Medvedev as Vladimir Putin’s self-designated successor was never in doubt – marks a milestone in that country’s retreat from democracy. Today’s contest is not an open and democratic election, and the Russian people have been denied the opportunity to choose their leaders and shape the future of their country. There’s no other way to describe today’s election.    » read more »

02 March 2008 -- With nearly all of the ballots counted, Dmitri Medvedev has 70 percent of the vote. While the result is hardly a surprise, two of his opponents are crying foul.

Speaking at a political rally on Red Square just hours after polls closed, incumbent President Vladimir Putin said his hand-picked candidate, Dmitri Medvedev, was enjoying a convincing lead in the vote count. He said victory entails enormous responsibility, adding that it will ensure continuation of what he termed the "successful policies of the past eight years."    » read more »