Jeju Peace Institute

LEE Hong Sub(Professor, Korea National Defense University)

The ongoing situation surrounding the bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia looks rather alarming. It does not appear that the two are making efforts for reconciliation or diplomatic considerations for each other either. U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul continued to maintain a sour relationship with the Russian government and finally resigned after only one year in the post. The way Russians view his replacement John Tefft is not very friendly.

The conflict between the two powers has much to do particularly with the frustration of Vladimir Putin’s attempt at reconciliation with Western countries in the first few years of his term and even the conciliatory gestures of his companion Dmitry Medvedev. Russia came to acquire a deep antipathy for western countries’ intervention in its internal politics. Vladimir Putin also expressed strong concerns about the NATO’s continued expansion despite his conciliatory efforts.

Concerning the expansion of Western economic sanctions against it following the Ukraine crisis and the abrupt in international oil prices since October 2014, Russia views them as elements of an anti-Russian conspiracy. Thus, the relationship between the two powers has soured further still. Vladimir Putin has adopted an anti-Western stance and strengthened friendly relations with China. The situation has also led to the launch of the Eurasian Economic (EEU) led by Russia and the rise of a nationalism that stresses Russian values, to the concern of Western countries.