Foreign Affairs - 11.2019 - 12.2019

Let Russia Be Russia

November/December 2019 135

countries espouse profoundly dierent concepts o world order. They

pursue opposing goals in regional conicts such as those in Syria and

Ukraine. The republican, democratic tradition o the United States

stands in stark contrast to Russia’s long history o autocratic rule. In

both practical and ideological terms, a close partnership between the

two states is unsustainable.

In the current climate, that understanding should come naturally to

most U.S. policymakers. Much harder will be to recognize that ostra-

cizing Russia will achieve little and likely prove to be counterproduc-

tive. Even i its relative power declines, Russia will remain a key

player in the global arena thanks to its large nuclear arsenal, natural

resources, geographic centrality in Eurasia, ­€ Security Council veto,

and highly skilled population. Cooperating with Russia is essential to

grappling with critical global challenges such as climate change, nu-

clear proliferation, and terrorism. With the exception o China, no

country aects more issues o strategic and economic importance to

the United States than Russia. And no other country, it must be said,

is capable o destroying the United States in 30 minutes.

A more balanced strategy o restrained competition would not only

reduce the risk o nuclear war but also provide the framework for the

cooperation needed to tackle global challenges. Smarter relations with

Russia can help guarantee European security and strategic stability,

EVAN

VUCCI

/ AP

Team of rivals: Putin and Trump at the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, July 2017

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