Washington will be pressurizing Russia

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has spoken in favour of pursuing a “realistic policy” towards Russia citing the final stage of the Cold War in late-1980s when Washington was pressurizing the USSR to liberalize its economy and establish democracy there. According to Mr. Powell, Russia, following the breakup of the USSR, “does not pose a threat for the US.” Still, it remains a “mighty power with nuclear weapons.” Before meeting today with Segei Ivanov, Russia’s security council secretary, Mr. Powell said Russia should understand US concern over arms sale to Iran. Washington does not plan to “turn Russia into our best friend or, again, into our enemy. We rather have to help it develop democracy and to transfer to free entrepreneurship,” Mr. Powell is quoted as saying.