Confronting Putin's Anti-U.S. Crusade

Publication Date: February 2007

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Ariel Cohen

Research Area: Government

Keywords: Russia and Eurasia; NATO

Type: Brief

Coverage: Russia (Federation)

Abstract:

The cold shower that Russian President Vladimir Putin unleashed on the United States at the international security conference in Munich last weekend should not have come as a surprise. After all, Putin himself and a host of other senior spokesmen have said as much in the past. Clearly, the post-communist honeymoon is over, dead, and buried. The United States should avoid a rhetorical confrontation with Moscow. Deeds, not words, are necessary to send a message to the Kremlin that the U.S. and its allies will not be bullied, but that Washington is not interested in renewed hostility. The U.S. should continue cooperation with Russia on matters of mutual concern, such as energy, non-proliferation, and space.