Deborah Anne Palmieri It seemed like a dream come true to Americans and Russians who have long worked to foster cooperation between both nations. The recent Bush-Putin summit in Moscow exceeded all expectations. There is a consensus on both sides that the Cold War is over and what has emerged in its place is a genuine partnership. The cement which holds it together consists of a unique mixture of compatible personalities, pressing national interests and boredom with old models of behavior and the familiar modus operandi during the period of the Cold War marked by confrontational politics, high-levels of tension and distrust. The summit market President Bush’s first visit to Russia and accompanied by First Lady Laura, they enjoyed the breathtaking historical legacy of Moscow and St. Petersburg. President Putin and his wife Lyudmila reciprocated the warmth and hospitality extended by the Bush’s during President Putin’s first official visit to the U.S. last November, which included a visit out to the Crawford ranch. An impressive and packed itinerary included official meetings, sightseeing, private meetings and a large dose of Russian culture and cuisine. A lot of people have asked me, “Do you think the glow of optimism is long-lasting and genuine? Is it real and destined to last the test of time?” My answer is yes, I believe so given the alignment of a unique set of factors that has favored the unifying aspects of the bilateral relationship. Bush and Putin get along with each other, and share the kinds of commonalties that inspire friendship. They are both hard-driving and athletic. Both enjoy stable marriages, each has two daughters. They share a similar set of national challenges and similar temperaments, particularly in that they are pragmatists. But beyond that, lies a deeper and more profound reason. In the aftermath of September 11, both nations and their leaders realized they needed each other and that more than ever in modern political history, it was in their national interest to cooperate and bury the hatchet of past grievances. A common enemy in Islamic terrorism fueled by extreme Islamic fundamentalism was a strong thread binding both nations in an effort to preserve nationhood and prevent the chaos, fear, disorder and costs that terror assaults could provoke, now and in the future. Both nations understood that modern civilization could not afford to not extinguish terrorism and that they needed each other not only in the process of defeating a common enemy, but for the job of maintaining a stable international order that would follow. Not only that, but there are pockets of tension that pose grave threats to international stability, such as the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, not to mention gridlock and extreme instability in the Middle East, and unresolved problems between Israel and the Palestinians, who cannot reach an accord that will stop terrorist bombings and military actions. The efforts of both the U.S. and Russia are needed in these hot spots to reach and maintain a meaningful and long-lasting peace. With a solid Bush-Putin relationship in place with strong underpinnings, now the hard work of establishing normal political, business and cultural relations following a century old hiatus is underway. While Russians and Americans share a lot in common, there are different outlooks and mindsets that require a special dedication to communicate. Healthy communication is essential to forge common paths and avoid conflict and misunderstanding. The spirit of friendship that clearly market the recent summit, in particular given the signing of the nuclear arms reduction accords and agreement on the terms of a new NATO-Russia Council, sets a new tone, and a great role model for cooperation. The Cold War indeed is officially over! We are all challenged to move U.S.-Russian relations forward in positive ways. American companies can expect a renewed public interest in Russia, coupled with responses and initiatives by both governments to facilitate investment and trade. The Russian-American Chamber of Commerce® is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acting to promote American business interests in the Russian marketplace. Last Updated: April 23, 2003. |
