The US tempted Moscow yesterday with the prospect of playing a lucrative role in rebuilding Iraq.
In St Petersburg today, the anti-war leaders of Russia, France and Germany look set to challenge US plans for the future of the oil-rich Gulf state.
But Moscow's criticism may be tempered by thoughts of helping Washington develop the world's second largest oil reserves, an opportunity that seemed lost after repeated US warnings that the Kremlin's fierce opposition to war would jeopardise Russian companies' billion-dollar contracts in Iraq.
"We would, of course, welcome Russian participation in rebuilding Iraq after the war," said US envoy Mr Alexander Vershbow yesterday, before making it clear that Moscow's behaviour in the next few weeks could make or break its Iraqi future.
Mr Vershbow insisted that the future Baghdad government - which Washington says will emerge from a three-stage plan of US design - would decide whom to invite to help rebuild Iraq.
"We have a shared interest with Russia and this future government in assuring that positive relations are established," the US envoy said. "And I think the new Iraqi government will watch and see how the Russian government contributes to all the important questions that will be decided in the coming weeks." Russia, along with France and Germany, has insisted that the United Nations take the lead in rebuilding Iraq. Piqued after failing to avert war in the Gulf, the three nations have reacted cautiously to a pledge from the US and Britain to offer the organisation an as yet vague "vital role" in the process.
With the US and Britain keen to avoid another damaging rift with their European allies, Mr Vershbow's advance to Russia seemed aimed at keeping Moscow firmly engaged in talks with Washington.
"I think the [future Iraqi\] government will be very interested in the participation of foreign oil companies, because the quicker it can expand its oil production, the quicker it will be able to improve the Iraqi people's way of life," he said.
"And it is very important that Russia takes part right now in talks on post-war reconstruction in Iraq. Important in regard to how Russian oil firms will work there." The comments from Mr Vershbow came amid a tentative thaw in US-Russian relations.
The White House had accused Russian firms of selling arms to Iraq, and Moscow said US bombs had dropped near the Russian embassy in Baghdad. Moscow also reportedly scolded Mr Vershbow for making "veiled threats" against its diplomats in Baghdad who came under fire last weekend as they sped towards the safety of Syria.