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McCain Takes Hard Line on Putin's Russia

Unlike opponents, candidate wants to boot Moscow from G8

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted May 6, 2008 9:35 AM CDT

(Newser) – John McCain says he favors expelling Russia from the G8 and forming a "league of democracies" to confront Moscow about rights abuses. The Republican candidate has fallen in with hard-line advisers, spurning pragmatists who favor dialogue and taking a tougher approach than his Democratic rivals. As Dmitry Medvedev prepares to become president tomorrow, Bloomberg looks at what Russia can expect from a new American administration.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, like President Bush, insist that booting Russia from the G8 would hinder, not help, attempts at fostering Russian democracy. But McCain has taken a much tougher line, insisting that only aggressive moves will make an impact. Mocking Bush's claim to have looked Vladimir Putin in the eyes and seen his "soul," McCain said that he looked at the outgoing Russian president "and saw three letters: KGB."

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., smiles as he is introduced at a town hall meeting Friday, May 2, 2008 in Denver, Colo. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

In this Dec. 30, 2007 file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and then-deputy Dmitry Medvedev are seen during a meeting in Moscow. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool, file)

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a news conference on Monday, May 5, 2008 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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McCain Takes Hard Line on Putin's Russia

Unlike opponents, candidate wants to boot Moscow from G8

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He's made Russian elections a farce

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Candidate has taken a hard line, calling for increased isolation

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McCain Takes Hard Line on Putin's Russia

Unlike opponents, candidate wants to boot Moscow from G8

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Russia • John McCain • Vladimir Putin • Group of Eight • Russian democracy • Dmitry Medvedev

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Medvedev Rips 'Provocateurs, Extremists'

President offers some reforms, but opposition says not enough

Putin Officially Running for Prez

United Russia party nominates him to run in March elections

Tyrant Putin's Return Bad News

He's made Russian elections a farce

Putin: US Sparked Georgia War

Part of plot to win votes for McCain, he claims

War Highlights McCain's Stance on Russia

Candidate has taken a hard line, calling for increased isolation

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?