Kotkin frequently writes on Russian and Eurasian affairs for the popular American press, particularly The New Republic.

But Daniel Fried, the assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, who attended the conference, noted a lack of enthusiasm among European members.

She joined the staff of the National Security Council in 1992, specializing in Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian affairs.

He was appointed by President Bill Clinton as Senior Director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasian affairs in 1997.

He is fluent in Russian, and is the author or editor of 20 books and more than 200 articles on Russian and Eurasian affairs.

Dan Fried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, said: "We don't take sides."

Glen Howard, president of the Jamestown Foundation, a nonprofit organization that closely follows Eurasian affairs, said there was plenty to criticize about Mr. Bush's public remarks.

"She's the big player in Europe right now," said Kurt Volker, the Bush administration's principal deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.

Pitifully weak invective came from Elizabeth Jones, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, who maintains our close friendship with France, Germany and Turkey.

Joining him will be Daniel Fried, the assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.