A New Era of US-Russia Ties

It must have come as a consolation for Russia that the United States has realised the need for ‘re-casting’ their otherwise strained relations in a new prism of cooperation.

In a policy statement in Munich, emphasising the direction and preferences of the new administration, Vice President Joe Biden reaffirmed intentions to ‘start anew’ by putting to rest reservations over regional and continental affairs. Taking into account their laundry list, both Moscow and Washington have a long way to go before settling down for a harmonious bilateral equation.

Their relations were strained under the Bush administration over Nato’s expansion eastward, Russia’s war with Georgia and the US decision to install missile shield defences in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Thus, it is hoped once that mistrust is done away with and a new security paradigm evolves, especially for countries along Russia’s Western border, Washington will be comfortable with exploring mega projects with Russia in an era of economic recession and meltdown.

America’s mending of fences with Russia will also help the sole superpower in rewriting relations with its traditional allies in Europe. It is not an exaggeration to say that US-Russia relations encompass more than half of world affairs. Their relations carry stakes for the world in spheres such as climate change, poverty alleviation and fighting terrorism. Moreover, stability in Afghanistan, peace in the Middle East and peace between China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula are other areas that require US-Russia engagement. Now is the time for Washington and Moscow to turn their Munich rhetoric into concrete actions. The starting point can be reviewing their stated positions on missile defence shield in Central Europe and Russia’s rigidity on Georgia’s desire to join Nato.

Similarly, as both countries look forward to resume dialogue on START-I agreement, as a prelude to the Review Conference on the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty next year, the world expects them to take a leap forward in realising a nuclear free world — as both control 90 per cent of the world’s nuclear warheads.

While they tread an uneven path of reconciliation, they can always agree to disagree. However, it’s a good sign that the Obama administration is not interested in unnecessary confrontation with Moscow offering it unsolicited lessons in democracy and human rights. This positive note of accommodation needs to be harnessed for a renewed understanding on all contentious issues, including peace in the Middle East.