Some commentators believe that Russia should not belong to the G8 group of industrialised countries let alone play host of this year's summit in St Petersburg.
One Russian critic of Vladimir Putin interviewed by the BBC pointed to Russia's democratic deficit: the lack of an independent media and judiciary and a pliant legislature.
George Bush, who arrives in Russia today, has said he intends to question Mr Putin on Russia's record on opposition parties and the media. That is as it should be, although Mr Putin will be probably be thinking, who is this guy to lecture me when he's got Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo on his record.
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