A 'Reset' In U.S. - Russian Relations?

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (C), Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry attend a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, September 28, 2015. REUTERS/MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/RIA NOVOSTI/KREMLIN

Politico: Obama officials are talking to Putin more than ever

But do they have anything to show from their stepped-up dialogue?

An Obama administration debate about whether to engage Vladimir Putin or treat him like a pariah has tilted in the engagement camp’s favor—even as critics and some officials worry that it’s become too easy for the Russian president to get a stature-enhancing meeting with U.S. leaders.

When Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Moscow on Tuesday for a planned sit-down with Putin, it will be his second visit to see the Russian leader since May. It also follows three face-to-face encounters between Putin and President Barack Obama since late September. Some critics of engagement fear that Putin has, in effect, used his military intervention in Syria to win a seat at the diplomatic table, while others doubt that the increased dialogue is achieving anything.

WNU Editor: Russian officials are not quiet on what do they think about this "renewed" diplomacy .... Russia criticizes U.S. policy on Syria ahead of Kerry Moscow visit (Reuters). As to what is my take .... they may be talking more to each other, but both sides are not listening to each other.