Rice Slams Russia, Says Georgia Actions 'Premeditated'

Rice also faulted Moscow for what she described as an unwillingness to seek common ground with Washington despite differences of opinion.

"The United Stats has consulted Russia's leaders. We have searched for common ground. And we have sought, as best we could, to take Russian interests and ideas into account," Rice said. "Increasingly, Russia's leaders have not fully reciprocated."

"Are we engaged in a new Cold War? No, we are not," Rice said.

Rice was also critical of Russia's new president, Dmitri Medvedev, seen by Western observers as a puppet for Putin who now serves as prime minister.

"Perhaps the worst fallout of all for Moscow is that its behavior has fundamentally called into question whose vision of Russia's future is really guiding the country. There was a time recently when the new president of Russia laid out a positive and forward-looking vision of his nation's future," she said.

"This was a vision that called for strengthening of the rule of law, rooting out corruption, investing in Russia's people and creating opportunities," Rice said. Instead she asserted that Russia has "taken a dark turn."

In an effort to illustrate what the United States portrays as Moscow's international isolation, Rice took a swipe at Russia's decision to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the two Georgian breakaway provinces.

"Russia has found little support for its actions. A pat on the back from [Nicaraguan President] Daniel Ortega and Hamas is hardly a diplomatic triumph," she said.

She also chided Russia for sending bombers to Venezuela, a move meant as a show of force in the Western Hemisphere and solidarity with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"Anachronistic Russian displays of military power will not turn back the tide of history," Rice said. "But we are confident that our ties with our neighbors -- who long for better education, better health care, better jobs and better housing -- will in no way be diminished by a few, aging Blackjack bombers, visiting one of Latin America's few autocracies."