Summit with Substance: Creating Payoffs in an Unequal Partnership

Publication Date: May 2002

Publisher: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Author(s): Andrew Kuchins

Research Area: Government

Type: Brief

Coverage: Russia (Federation)

Abstract:

The foundation for a genuine long-term partnership between the United States and Russia is far stronger today than at any time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Strong U.S. Russian relations are essential both for Russia to achieve its goals of economic modernization and integration with the west and for the United States to achieve many of its key foreign and security goals.

The heightened sense of urgency after 9/11 of the dangers of terrorists possibly acquiring weapons of mass destruction makes cooperation with Russia more important than ever. Presidents Bush and Putin must take advantage of the critical opportunities at their upcoming meeting in Russia to reach key agreements, remove major irritants in U.S.-Russian relations, and initiate a new partnership less burdened by Cold War legacies.