New report from the Atlantic Council outlines future Russian relations with the West

In a new report, published by the Atlantic Council this week, several authors including Anders Åslund and David Kramer outline what the U.S. and European approach toward Russia should be, now and in the future.

As Vladimir Putin is continuing the military build up in Ukraine and thereby threatening the European security order, it is necessary for the transatlantic allies to proceed in thwarting and deterring the Russian aggressive foreign policy. In the short and medium term, however, the authors call for cooperation in fields of common U.S. and Russian interest, such as in Afghanistan, arms control and combating climate change.

Moreover, the report from the Atlantic Council calls for a clear description of what a cooperation with a free Russia in the future could enable and how it can be beneficiary for all parties.

The long term strategy in enabling cooperation with Russia as soon it has turned away from its revanchist and aggressive foreign policy is important. However it can only come after profound guarantees and actions that indicate that the Kremlin ends its current policies, threatening the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, Georgia and other neighboring countries.