Improving Relations with Russia – From a Position of Strength

By Ambassador John Herbst

Ambassador John E. Herbst is the former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and Uzbekistan. He is currently the Director of the Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council.

Donald Trump will take office at the lowest point in Washington’s relations with Moscow since the end of the Cold War.  He has consistently talked about the need to establish a better relationship with Mr. Putin.  Can he do that in a way that serves American interests?

The key to successful foreign policy is understanding the major challenges and opportunities that await a new Administration.  With Russia, the Trump Administration faces a great challenge.  President Putin is a revisionist who wants to overturn the post-Cold War order that we helped establish in Eurasia.  That order has been essential to the peace and prosperity that we have enjoyed over the past 25 years.

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