The deterioration in US-Russian relations has come as hardliners in both countries seek to exploit the looming lame-duck status of their presidents after a period in which a weakened Bush administration has let policies drift, say analysts and insiders in Washington.

Insiders say that at last year’s G8 summit, George W. Bush put Russia on the back-burner and has spoken with Vladimir Putin relatively little since then. Weaker at home after the Republican losses in the 2006 midterm congressional elections and with his world standing diminished, Mr Bush has also been absorbed by Iraq.