July 3, 2009 By Citizen M

RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – July 3, 2009

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TODAY: Obama taxes Putin with living in the past; Pepsi’s role in Cold War thaw; reserve currency may be discussed at Putin-Obama meeting; is Medvedev really the host?; Chechens suspected in Klebnikov murder on wanted list

Barack Obama has verbally chastised Putin for keeping one foot in the old ways of doing business and one foot in the new’.  Medvedev hopes for ‘intensive and full-fledged talks’ with the US President.  Whilst Medvedev may be the official host, an op-ed piece in the Moscow Times argues that Obama needs to engage with Putin to tackle the thorniest issues.  During Obama’s visit, a breakfast meeting with the Prime Minister may involve discussions of the reserve currency.  According to the Financial Times, it looks like both sides may dig their heels in on the issue of missile defense.  It’s going to be tough for Obama, says the Economist.  Another article in the Economist suggests that Russian anti-americanism is largely due to an inferiority complex on the Kremlin’s part.