Russia
Capital - Moscow
Chief of State - President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (since 12/31/99)
Head of Government - Premier Mikhail Mikhaylovich Kasyanov (since 5/7/00)

• President Putin and China's President Zemin celebrated the 1 year anniversary of their Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, even tho' Zemin has reservations about Russia's tilt towards the US and NATO over security and missile defense matters. 6/7/02
• Is the world's second largest exporter of oil. 4/10/02
• Afghan interim leader Karzai advised that Russia is welcome to join the international peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan.  Russia has not said if it's interested, although it has pledged to help rebuild the country. 3/14/02
• Putin warns US against attacking Iraq.  2/11/02
• Called for the end of US bombing in Afghanistan and opposes permanent US military presence in the close-lying countries. 1/11/02
• Putin says won't join NATO, but plan to form a stronger alliance.  11/23/01
• Will share intelligence but not ground troops.  11/8/01
• Offered US the use of an airbase; "all means must be used to combat terrorism".
• Russian Federation Embassy in Washington D.C.
• US Embassy in Moscow