Hardliners in Washington and Moscow are seeking to capitalise on a drift in US- Russia policy and the looming lame duck status of their presidents amid the current deterioration in US-Russian relations, according to analysts in Washington.

Insiders said that at last year's G8 summit, George W. Bush in effect 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.