Yesterday, for the first time in the «reset» of relations with Russia, the United States subjected Moscow to harsh criticism for persecuting dissidents. The US National Security Council has made a statement on the inadmissibility of the arrests of opposition members who participated in the July 31 rallies to protect Article 31 of the Russian Constitution. According to Kommersant’s sources, the Russian leadership decided not to respond to this attack. Analysts say that in doing so, the Kremlin has decided to support the friendly US President Barack Obama in the fight against Republicans, which he will have to face in the upcoming congressional elections in November.

The Atlantists are on the ascendant these days in Moscow. Russian President Dmitri Medvedev’s hamburger lunch with United States President Barack Obama during his visit to Silicon Valley last month apparently left a pleasant taste in his mouth.

Now relations with NATO are on the mend, as Russia plans to send 27 Mi-17 helicopters to Afghanistan, NATO Military Committee Chairman Giampaolo di Paola said after a meeting with Chief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Nikolai Makarov last Friday. Rosoboronexport has even offered to throw in the first three helicopters for free.

Russia is on a global marketing drive. The country desperately wants to reinvigorate the level of foreign investment, which has dropped off alarmingly since 2008. But, according to bankers and economists, international investors are waiting for more clarity about how the rules of the game have changed since the financial crisis. They want to see more evidence that the country's economy can deliver the kinds of returns that will compensate them for the perceived risk of doing business in Russia.