Bush and Putin Take a Spin

Peter Baker and Peter Finn write in The Washington Post: "With a flourish of martial showmanship and solemn remembrances, the world's leaders marked the 60th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany on Monday, putting aside differences over historical interpretation for a moment of international solidarity."

In Latvia on Saturday, Bush clearly implied that an expression of contrition from Putin about the post-war Soviet domination of Eastern Europe would be appropriate. But Putin did not oblige.

Baker and Finn write: "Bush evinced no discomfort reviewing a parade of goose-stepping soldiers, some hoisting banners that said 'USSR' and bore the visage of Lenin. Still, perhaps in deference to Western sensibilities, Lenin's tomb itself, where the embalmed body of the founder of the Soviet Union remains in state, was discreetly shrouded by a large banner."

Steve Holland writes for Reuters: "U.S. President George W. Bush and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin put on their own show of bonhomie at Monday's grand military parade on Red Square, setting aside political strains as they smiled and chatted like old friends. . . .

"It is the first time a U.S. president has attended a Russian military parade in the cobble-stoned Red Square on such a grand scale."

Jennifer Loven writes for the Associated Press: "White House counselor Dan Bartlett said Bush was comfortable amid the trappings of communist power. It demonstrates "how far we've come in the world," Bartlett said.

"Continuing the chummy exchanges that marked their discussions and dinner the evening before, the two smiled broadly when Bush arrived for the parade. As Bush lowered his umbrella, despite the rain, for a snapshot, Putin laughingly did the same. Putin reserved the seat next to him for Bush -- whom he called his guest of 'special importance' above all others. Later, Bush remained glued to the Russian leader's side as they strolled, red carnations in hand, to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier."

The only imagery I saw of Bush looking the least bit sour today was this Reuters photo of him watching French President Jacques Chirac kiss Laura Bush's hand.

Bush is not expected to make any public comments today.

Mi Dacha Es Su Dacha

Yesterday, in Moscow, it was all smiles.

Peter Baker writes in The Washington Post: "President Bush opened a diplomatically sensitive 24-hour visit here Sunday and moved immediately to smooth over days of prickly exchanges with President Vladimir Putin about past Soviet tyranny and Russia's current drift toward authoritarianism.