ADDING STABILITY TO U.S.-RUSSIAN RELATIONSHIP

         The relationship between the U.S and Russia is an increasingly stable partnership. Progressively, the stakes we have in each other’s economic prosperity would add ballast, giving us the ability to advance through political struggles.

         Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev had their 3^rd bilateral meeting in the last four months on Sunday, November 15. The recently announced U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission will have to direct tensions surrounding Iran policy, the stop-and-go nature of World Trade Organization accession talks, and other controversial geopolitical matters.

 Preceding the Obama-Medvedev meetings, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Moscow last month, both Russia and the U.S. seemed more agreeable to engage commercially. Last week in his state-of-the-nation address, Medvedev called for economic modernization.

Despite the differences between the two nations, the commission already has designated areas of common interest, including building a strong commercial relationship. To put the economic relationship in perspective Russia accounts for only about 1% of Americas overall trade, compared with 14% for China and 2% for the Netherlands.  The next few years offer a chance to expand two-way trade and establish a meaningful commercial partnership. 

         Increasing the commercial relationship between the U.S and Russia will stabilize the two nations allowing us to withstand political and economical complications.