TODAY: Obamarama begins with touchdown in Moscow today; the US President grants interview to opposition paper; Putin rebuffs suggestion he favors old ways; Obama trying divide and conquer on Medvedev and Putin?; missile defense may be a dealbreaker; Stalinism and Nazism compared

Putin has responded to Obama’s suggestion he has ‘one foot in the past‘, by saying, ‘we stand firmly on our feet and always look into the future‘ and has reasserted that the US President’s visit is awaited ‘with very warm feelings’.  The Times suggests that Obama has made a ‘mistake’ in pitching Putin and Medvedev against each another, when the Prime Minister is really at the helm of the tandemocracy.  A commentator in the Moscow Times argues that ‘Obama was like a skilled chess player who unexpectedly makes a risky move, giving up the queen to gain control of the match’.  The Guardian reports on how Obama’s interview with Novaya Gazeta demonstrates a tough stance on freedom of speech.  ‘Odd‘ is how the President has described the new charges faced by Mikhail Khodorkovsky.  ‘There is nothing to discuss’ says Medvedev on a pardon for the Yukos founder.  Opposition leader Garry Kasparov has expressed optimism regarding the visit and will meet Obama during his trip.  Reuters reports on the first African-American President’s appearance in a country where ethinic minorities feel their safety constantly threatened.