U.S.-Russian Relations: The Path Ahead after the Crisis

Summary:

CSIS expert Jeff Mankoff explains the reasons of the crisis in Ukraine, and how the U.S. should try to reestablish a more stable situation in central Europe, mixing containment and engagement of the Russian partner.

After 1991, Russia never became a full participant in the new European security order, which remained based on NATO and, to some extent, the European Union. The Ukraine crisis of today is in many ways a consequence of Russia’s ambiguous position in that security architecture, which Moscow is now seeking actively to overturn.

While the status quo may not be ideal, the U.S. and its allies have little choice but to defend it right now. Backing down under Russian pressure would set a disastrous example, not only in Europe, but in every part of the world where a U.S. security umbrella restrains interstate conflict.

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