Bush: Reforms in Russia Have Been ‘Derailed'

MOSCOW — President Bush attacked President Putin's democratic record yesterday in an escalation of the diplomatic dispute between their two countries.

Delivering a speech on the state of world freedom to a conference organized by Soviet-era dissidents in Prague, the American president broached a topic guaranteed to infuriate the Kremlin on the eve of what is already set to be a fractious G–8 summit.

"In Russia, reforms that once promised to empower citizens have been derailed, with troubling implications for democratic development," he said.

But in line with a new White House policy to cooperate with Russia when possible and criticize it when necessary, Mr. Bush sought to temper the reproof with reassurance. Responding to Mr. Putin's repeated condemnation of American plans to erect a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe, the president attempted to persuade his Russia counterpart that he had nothing to fear from the project.

"My message will be: ... Why don't you cooperate with us on a missile defense system?"

Few, however, expect such an argument to convince Mr. Putin. Defense Secretary Gates and Secretary of State Rice have made similar invitations during visits to Moscow over the past two months. Not only were they rebuffed, they actually seemed to infuriate the Russian leader even more.