But protests caused by economic crises are hardly surprising. They have been held in Europe, Africa and Latin America. To interpret Russian demonstrations into seething public discontent would be an overstatement.

In and outside Russia, some commentators have been linking the rallies WTO political instability. This has much to do with the fact that President Dmitry Medvedev twice rebuked the cabinet for being too slow in taking measures to tackle the economic crisis.

This raises questions about the alliance between Medvedev and Putin, who leads the cabinet.

Putin gained a platform to wield power, he assumed the inherent risks of taking on thorny economic problems. At this juncture, Putin and his cabinet are under unprecedented pressure.

Still, Medvedev and Putin have been working together in apparent harmony. Opinion polls show Putin, chairman of the country's biggest party United Russia, still ranking as Russia's No 1 leader with a 70 percent approval rating. To suggest Putin's position had been undermined is unfounded. If someday heads do have to roll, there's always the option of finding a scapegoat.

The harsh economic situation has made the Russian government more careful with external relations. Underneath the hard-line stance, Russia is becoming more flexible. In its key diplomatic relations with the US, Russia enjoys two advantages: Firstly, it came out on top in the August war with the US-backed Georgia and has effectively slowed down the eastern expansion of NATO. Secondly, the new diplomacy of US President Barack Obama has offered more possibilities for maneuvering.

While resisting pressure from the US, Russia has displayed signs that it wants to be on better terms with the US. Such intentions are evident in Russia's allowing the US to transport non-lethal supplies to Afghanistan by rail through its territory, though it has been pushing for Kyrgyzstan to cancel the lease of Manas Air Base. Other signs include bargaining over nuclear disarmament and a US missile shield in Eastern Europe, closer cooperation with other Commonwealth of Independent States, efforts to warm up ties with US allies such as the EU and Japan and the campaign to cement links with Latin America.

Like always, Russia-US relations will oscillate between temporary warmth and inevitable coldness.

The author, Yu Sui, is a researcher with the Research Center of Contemporary World.

(China Daily March 19, 2009)