"The meeting of the Russian and US presidents in Bratislava can either bolster our relations or result in a sharp chill," Mr. Rogov believes.
According to him, the recent speeches by US President George Bush (his inaugural speech and State of the Union Address) are very tough ideological rhetoric to be followed, however, by an approach far more pragmatic than the one pursued by George Bush during his first tenure.
Mr. Rogov believes the positive impetus given to the Russo-American relations after the 9/11 terrorist attacks has worn off.
"There has been a large-scale anti-Rusisan front comprising various political forces," the expert said. These forces call vociferously for "thwarting Russia's neo-imperialist ambitions in the world".
Moreover, the United States and Western Europe can be on the same side of the fence.
"Europe and the United States cannot agree on anything but this issue. The US-European relations can be bolstered at Russia's expense," Mr. Rogov said.
He opined that the evolving democracy in Russia would come into the foreground during the upcoming summit meeting in Bratislava. He also said that the meeting of the Russian and US presidents might be followed by a steep increase in financing Russian nuclear, chemical and biological weapons disposal programs.
"Speeding up the program will sure to be on the agenda," Mr. Rogov said.
He believes there may be the Iran and North Korea affairs among the international problems on Mr. Putin and Mr. Bush's agenda.
"If the nonproliferation regime is touched upon during the talks, Russia can opt for close cooperation in this sphere. If the United States mean toppling the North Korean and Iranian regimes, I am sure we will not help the Americans," Mr. Rogov said.
In his view, there are many more spheres for the Russian-US relations, which could serve the groundwork for a new, more efficient cooperation.
"These fields may include Russian-US cooperation in WMD proliferation prevention and the establishment of a man-made and natural disaster rapid-reaction and disaster relief system," the expert commented.
