U.S.-Russia Relations Complicate Georgia Talks

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In The Media

U.S.-Russia Relations Complicate Georgia Talks

As U.S.-Russia relations continue to sour over the Russia-Georgia conflict, it is unclear how the two nations will be able to rebuild their relationship. Although the conflict led to the current deterioration in relations, problems between the two countries were present before. Despite strong rhetoric from Washington, there is a need for an improved dialogue between the United States and Russia.

By James F. Collins

Published on Aug 25, 2008

Source: NPR's All Things Considered

As America-Russia relations continue to sour over the Russia-Georgia conflict, it is unclear how the two nations will be able to rebuild their relationship. In an interview with NPR’s All Things Considered, James F. Collins asserts, “we’ve had a tremendous failure of diplomacy.”

Although the conflict led to the current deterioration in relations, problems between the two countries were present before. Collins explains, “I am not sure how our dealings with Russia have mirrored the changes that have taken place there. And at the same time, [the Russians] have nursed a lot of grudges that having made a comeback, having achieved recovery, they are still being treated like they were in 1995.”

Despite calls for punishing Russia in Washington, there is a need for improved dialogue between the United States and Russia.

Click to listen here

About the Author

James F. Collins

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program; Diplomat in Residence

Ambassador Collins was the U.S. ambassador to the Russian Federation from 1997 to 2001 and is an expert on the former Soviet Union, its successor states, and the Middle East.

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Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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