Vladimir Putin opposed the USA’s move to invade Iraq without a United Nations Security Council resolution which explicitly authorized the use of military force. Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder negotiated the construction of a massive gas pipeline over the Baltic in 2005 exclusively between Germany and Russia. Putin visited Ukraine twice during the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election to show his support for Viktor Yanukovych, the Ukrainian Prime Minister. Yanukovych was widely recognized to be a pro-Kremlin candidate. Putin received a great deal of criticism for interfering in the affairs of a sovereign state. Putin was met with the same criticism when he was indicted of supporting separatist entities in Georgia and Moldova.

On April 26th 2007, Putin did his annual address to the Federal Assembly. At this particular Assembly, Putin argued that NATO was not upholding the CFE Treaty and so declared a moratorium on its observance by Russia. Putin argues that new NATO members did not even have to sign the treaty so far. NATO members however, refused to ratify the treaty until Russia complied with the commitments made in Istanbul in 1999. Oh dear! Not an argument led grow lights would like to get involved in!