Mr. Medvedev made his comments on Tuesday in a meeting with a small group of foreign journalists a day after the American treasury secretary, Henry M. Paulson Jr., appealed in Moscow for Russian investment in the United States. The symbolism of the visit resonated here, in that only a decade had passed since the Russian economy was in shambles and the country was desperate for Western aid.

Isn't the Russian economy bolstered by having oil and gas? Is Moscow taking steps to deal with the already downward turn in production? I doubt Russia would have recovered if it didn't have oil to pump.

Anyway, that's at lease a future years in the future. Now, if America wants Russian investment so badly, then maybe Medvedev should drive the shiv in a little deeper and negotiate a price for Alaska?