Russian ambassador to US named to Putin's cabinet

Jun 2, 2008, 12:13 GMT

   Moscow - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin appointed Russia's longtime ambassador to Washington as his deputy chief of staff, Russian news agencies reported Monday.

   Yury Ushakov, 61, served Russia's representative to the United States since 1999, throughout Putin's eight year presidency.    He was recalled from his post by President Dmitry Medvedev earlier Monday in a move emblematic of the well coordinate policy between Putin and his former office since his protege Medvedev's inauguration on May 7.

   Analysts questioned whether Ushakov's move was a sign of Putin's intention to keep a handle over foreign policy.

   Putin was received in presidential style on his first visit abroad in his new role as prime minister last week, and did not shy away from discussions of foreign policy that is the purview of the president.

   In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde last Friday, Putin condemned US foreign policy and warned France to keep its independence.

   Under Putin, Russia's relations with the US have sunk to Cold War lows despite his vaunted personal ties with US President George W Bush.

   Putin has voiced fierce opposition to US support for offering NATO membership to the post-Soviet states of Ukraine and Georgia and US plans to build missile defense bases in Eastern Europe.

   Bush and Putin failed to compromise on the missile shield during a summit at Putin's residence in southern Russia, with Moscow later accusing the US of renigging on its promises to allow for Russian monitors at the planned bases.