Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Two meetings for Cameron, but only one really matters

 

Shaun Walker
Monday 12 September 2011 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Kremlin is the enduring symbol of power in Russia, but David Cameron's most important meeting today is not likely to be with President Dmitry Medvedev inside the redbrick fortifications. Instead, it will be his afternoon call on Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that is likely to define the trip.

Since the Soviet Union collapsed, the prime minister in Russia has been a largely bureaucratic position of little real power, with PMs fired at will by all-powerful presidents. That all changed when Mr Putin stepped across town from the Kremlin to the White House in 2008.

Constitutionally, he was barred from serving another term as president, but the role of PM was suddenly transformed, and Mr Putin remained the most powerful person in Russia. Many analysts expect him to mount a return to the Kremlin in March presidential elections. The two leaders have said they will not stand against each other, and whichever one runs is almost guaranteed victory.

However, the lack of clarity on whether it will be the tough-talking Mr Putin or Mr Medvedev, with his more liberal rhetoric, who stands for office, has left everyone in Russia playing a guessing game.

"I was contacted by London for advice on the visit," said Alexander Voloshin, who was Kremlin chief of staff from 1999 to 2003 and is still seen as an influential political player. "I told them that Cameron must meet Putin as well as Medvedev, that it wouldn't make sense to come and not see Putin."

Mr Voloshin, as well as several other high-ranking Russian officials, said last week that they still did not know which of the pair was planning to run for president, but expected the decision to be taken soon. "It will be a joint decision," said Mr Voloshin. "It will not be a request or a threat, or a settling of accounts. It will be a partner-like talk, though not a simple one," he said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in