PONARS Policy Memo 228 - A Fresh Start in U.S.-Russian Relations?

Considering September 2001 as the turning of an important political page not only for U.S.- Russian relations, but also for general international relations as well is tempting. So far, though, the United States and Russia have exchanged many promises and optimistic interviews instead of making real agreements. Obviously, the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington affect the United States’ priorities as a state and its engagement with countries around the world. Russian foreign policy, on the other hand, will not be affected in quite the same way. Undoubtedly Russia has shown itself as a country attempting to become a part of West. The one real consequence of this is that Russian foreign policy has become Western oriented. This means sharing not only common values and principles with Western governments, but also sharing common threats and enemies as well. More importantly, this means working together as a team. The United States quickly returned to work after the tragedy. As President George W. Bush said a few days after the attacks, “Today millions of Americans mourned and prayed, and tomorrow we go back to work.” Russia also began engaging in the same work, but the question is for how long.