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Email this citationCIAO DATE: 04/03
Prospects for U.S.-Russian Nonproliferation Cooperation Under Bush and Putin
Andrea Gabbitas
January 2003
International Security Program
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs (BCSIA)
Harvard University
Abstract
Since September 11, the relationship between the United States and Russia has evolved significantly. At the Crawford summit in November 2001, President George W. Bush and President Vladimir V. Putin officially declared a “new relationship” between the United States and Russia. A significant portion of this new relationship has centered on nonproliferation matters, which have been declared a priority by both presidents. In fighting terrorist threats, Bush and Putin have “agreed to enhance bilateral and multilateral action to stem the export and proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological materials, related technologies, and delivery systems as a critical component of the battle to defeat international terrorism.”
The rapidly changing international security environment has caused a convergence of the threat assessment of both states, improving the prospects for U.S.-Russian nonproliferation cooperation. Although the war on terrorism has enhanced the bilateral relationship between Bush and Putin and made agreement on nonproliferation matters more likely, disagreements between the two administrations still exist. However, some of the previous serious disputes between the nations, such as over the U.S. withdrawal from the ABM treaty, have been less divisive than predicted prior to the September 11 attacks, showing the degree to which Putin values cooperation with the United States. Nevertheless, Russia has received few tangible benefits from its cooperation with the United States. Although the United States did recognize Russia as a market economy in June 2002 and has agreed to assist Russia with energy exploration, Washington has generally pursued unilateralist policies, ignoring Russian concerns. Given that Putin has received significant criticism for his foreign policy concessions and that he has valid concerns about the Russian economy, Washington would be wise to help Russia achieve some of its goals as well in order to cement this partnership. This is an important window of opportunity for a new cooperative U.S.-Russian relationship that could combat proliferation and address other joint concerns.
