Russian leaders may be toning down the rhetoric a bit. Shortly after the American presidential election, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gave a speech openly hostile to the United States and which failed to congratulate or even mention President-elect Barack Obama.

In addition, Mr. Medvedev spoke of posting missiles at its western border in response to U.S. plans to deploy an antimissile system in Eastern Europe.

The Kremlin's tone has changed now. Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin said last week he was optimistic the new administration would be more willing to consider discussing the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expires next year.

"We hope that the new leadership of the United States will be more constructive and will help us come to a mutually acceptable solution," Mr. Putin said.

Mr. Medvedev also has shown a more diplomatic side. Speaking in Peru at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum the other day, he said that Moscow did not wish to escalate the disagreements between the United States and Russia.

Since the initial outburst against the United States following the election, Mr. Medvedev has softened his approach, the New York Times reports. Reporting from Moscow, Clifford J. Levy wrote "it appears that the Kremlin is trying to avoid alienating Mr. Obama before he takes office."

That is a good step for U.S.-Russian relations. The voices need to be moderated before the two countries can have a productive dialogue.