After Rice and Putin Meet, Russia Agrees to Soften Language - New York Times

After Rice and Putin Meet, Russia Agrees to Soften Language - New York Times: "After Rice and Putin Meet, Russia Agrees to Soften Language

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By C. J. CHIVERS
Published: May 16, 2007

MOSCOW, May 15 — Russia agreed Tuesday to tone down the harsh language its senior officials have used against the United States in recent months, but the two countries remained at an impasse on several issues that have strained relations.

The agreement to soften their public discourse was announced by the Kremlin after a meeting outside the capital between President Vladimir V. Putin and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and seemed to signal a restoration of state cordiality in the face of lingering disagreements.

Ms. Rice’s two-day visit followed remarks by Mr. Putin on Red Square on May 9 that appeared to compare the United States to the Third Reich, the most severe of several such criticisms from him in his second term.

After the meeting, Ms. Rice told reporters that while she had not discussed the Third Reich comme"