With the president’s trip to Moscow finished, Russian analysts are praising what they called a “symbolic detente,” but it seems that apart from marginal rhetorical changes, the long-promised “reset” of relations with Russia has little substance behind it.

Analysts insist that even the largely unproductive meeting was “important,” however, as it keeps what little momentum there appears to be for the improved relations alive. Still, the tone was far from cordial however, and was underscored by continued distrust.

Most notably President Obama chastized the Russian government for “interfering” with neighboring states, accusing them of being stuck in “old ways of thinking” and declaring that the “days when empires could treat sovereign states as pieces on a chessboard are over.”

As for the nuclear disarmament agreements, the principle practical goal of the Obama visit, the two sides did agree on a framework of sorts. Yet even in this, results fell far short of expectations, as the cuts were far lower than were previously talked about.

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz

• Four Killed as Another US Drone Strike Hits Pakistan - February 8th, 2012
• Food Prices Soaring in Iran as US Sanctions Miss Regime and Hit Civilians - February 8th, 2012
• House Hearings on Balochistan: Pakistan's Kosovo? - February 8th, 2012
• Syrian Opposition Claims Massive Deaths in Homs, Clashes Reported in Daraa - February 8th, 2012
• Egypt PM: US Aid Threats Won't Stop NGO Prosecutions - February 8th, 2012