Kerry's meeting in Moscow signals easing of rhetoric between U.S. and Russia

For two superpowers with frosty relations, the United States and Russia have seemed not as chilly or isolated from each other recently.U.S. Secretary of StateJohn Kerryhas just wrapped up his third trip to the Russian capital in a year.

His mission in Moscow centred on Syria, but Kerry also ushered in a warm front, interpreted as a softening of the often-hostile rhetoric between the U.S. and Russia.

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On the surface, it seemsto have worked. President VladimirPutin was unusually complimentary of the U.S.role in the Syrian peace initiative.

The groundwork we have on Syria could only have been possible thanks to the supreme political leadership of the United States.- Vladimir Putin

"We are aware that the groundwork we have on Syria could only have been possible thanks to the supreme political leadership of the United State, specifically the position of President Obama,"the Russian president said at the start of a four-hour meeting with Kerry.

And the secretary of state left Russia Friday morning with an agreement to speed up the timetable, aiming for a new Syrian draft constitutionby August.

Washington asked for this latest meeting after Putinsuddenlydrew down the bulk ofRussian troops in Syria.

Kerry opened his day-long meetings Thursdayteasing his counterpart SergeiLavrovabout his recent birthday.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you Happy Birthday,"said Kerry."I know it will give you wisdom in our talks today."

Not to be outdone, Lavrov quipped back, "If wisdom is measured in birthdays, John, I'm still behind you."

These two veterans of diplomatic wars hoped to make progress on a political path for peace in Syria.

In an unguarded momentoff camera, Kerry acknowledgedto an aide:"Alot is riding on this meeting."

The Kremlin has positioned itself so that any road to peace in Damascus must pass through Moscow. Washington knows it will need Putin's influence to help with the thorniest question of the peace talks what happens to SyrianPresident Bashar al Assad.

Late Thursday night, Kerry emerged with conciliatory words.

U.S.-Russia relations hit a new low two years ago, after Russian annexed Crimeaand supported separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. International sanctions followed, isolating Russia.

But the urgency of the Syrian crisishas pulled the two countries towards each other like a huge geopolitical magnet; a recognition that co-operation might be the only route left for a solution to Syria.

"Layer upon layer, [Kerry]tries to re-establish a strong basis for Russian-American relations,"says Viktor Kremeniuk, deputy director of the Institute of USA andCanadain Moscow.

Kerry's visitand his close working relationship with Lavrov are positioning the U.S. for the near future, he says.

"We are working today, not on what will happen within a month, not what will happen before the summer, but what will happen when the new American president is elected,"says Kremeniuk. "And he thinks his professional task is to prepare for this period."

But there remain sharp shoals. Dtente in Ukraine a major one. Kerry and Lavrov said they would each re-engage pressure on Kyivand eastern Ukraine to stick to obligations agreed to in the Minsk accord last year.