A united Europe could play the pivotal peacemaker in the Russia-Georgia conflict, strengthening cooperation in the continent’s east. However, both unity and independent action on Europe’s part are unlikely. Therefore, the Russia policy of the next U.S. president will be essential for ensuring stability in the region.
The Russia-Georgia conflict has illustrated Russia’s new “containment policy” that is targeted towards the West. However, there is some evidence that the Russian elite may also be seeking some reconciliation. The real test of this notion will come if Ukraine insists on joining NATO, and the question of what to do with Crimea will have to be answered.
With the Russian city Sochi scheduled to host the next summer Olympics, Russia needs to rebuild confidence in the world community. Russia’s overreactions along with a lack of finesse in the Russian military doctrine have done much to severely damage relations with the international community. Russia must now begin to rebuild these relationships, starting with withdrawing from Georgia.
In the midst of the Russia-Georgia conflict, Poland has agreed to host part of a U.S. missile defense system. For Russia, this move indicated that the missiles were aimed against Russia rather than Iran as the U.S. has been alleging. This agreement may lead to further deterioration of U.S.-Russia relations, as well as, cause challenges for the Poland-Russia relationship.
The collapse of the Soviet Union resulted not only in new borders for Russia, but left millions of ethnic Russians in former Soviet republics. For these people, the Russian language remains a defining influence in their lives, even where local nationalist agendas seek to downplay and underestimate its prevalence.
With reports that Russian troops remain in Georgia, the West continues its diplomatic push to resolve the conflict. Yet the U.S. and its allies have limited leverage with which to influence Russian policy.
As the Russia-Georgia ceasefire agreement takes shape, the consequences of the crisis for both countries are just now being explored. For Russia the possibility of territorial gain raises new challenges in its relations not just with NATO countries but with neighboring CIS and SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) states as well.
President Bush recently announced the launch of a U.S. humanitarian mission to Georgia and criticized Russia for what he deemed as its violation of the ceasefire. This accusation struck deeply with many Russians who viewed the intelligence on which the speech was based as false or outdated.
The Russia-Georgia crisis has caused a substantial erosion in Russia-U.S. relations. In order to move forward in such a challenging diplomatic environment, the United States should fully support the French initiative to achieve a cease fire.
Disarmament cooperation between Russia and the U.S. has stalled. Negotiations must be renewed, for inaction could revive an arms race.

























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