From the Charleston, S.C. Post and Courier — Originally published Monday, July 6

President Barack Obama faces big questions in his Moscow summit this week, and the biggest is: Which Russia is he meeting?

There is the menacing Russia that may provoke a new crisis in Georgia. …

Then there is the enigmatic Russia that has not made clear its posture toward the Ukraine, another former Soviet territory, now an independent democracy with Western leanings.

And there is the Russia that could refuse new limits on strategic arms unless the United States backs off its plans to install anti-ballistic missile systems in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Mr. Obama will certainly deal with the daunting Iran nuclear issue. For example, if Moscow fails in its negotiations to limit Iran’s nuclear program, will Mr. Obama demand Russia seek punitive sanctions against the country?

Who will really speak for Russia at the summit: Mr. Obama’s formal counterpart, President Dmitry Medvedev, or Russian Prime Minister (and former president) Vladimir Putin? Mr. Obama will meet both. He said Thursday he thinks Medvedev understands it is time to improve U.S.-Russian relations but added, “I think Putin has one foot in the old ways of doing business.”

… Mr. Obama may find a menacing Russia or a friendly Russia. More likely, he’ll have to deal with a puzzling mixture of the two.