Putin’s Obama Snub Signals Harder Russian Policy as Reset Fades

President Vladimir Putin’s decision to skip this month’s Group of Eight summit in America signals Russian foreign policy is hardening as a “reset” in relations with the U.S. fades, analysts from Moscow to Washington said.

Putin told President Barack Obama in a telephone call yesterday that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will take his place at the May 18-19 gathering, the White House said in a statement. His first foreign visits after reclaiming the presidency for a third term will be to Mexico, China and Brazil.