U.S.official says Russian actions are weak

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Its recent invasion of Georgia shows that Russia is actually a "weak" nation not a re-assertive one, said a top U.S. diplomat.

Daniel Fried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, told The Washington Post in an interview that Moscow risks isolating itself and weakening its place in the world.

"There is a Russia narrative that 'we were weak in the '90s, but now we are back and we are not going to take it anymore.' But being angry and seeking revanchist victory is not the sign of a strong nation. It is the sign of a weak one," he told the Post. "Russia is going to have to come to terms with the reality it can either integrate with the world or it can be a self-isolated bully. But it can't be both."

Fried also offered some conciliation to Russia, agreeing that Georgia's own initial movement of forces into the runaway region of South Ossetia had been a foolish provocation. But he said Russian over-reactions were even worse and the United States was determined to prevent Russia from claiming a new sphere of influence in the Caucasus, the Post said.