Under U.S. President Barack Obama’s present administration, no one should expect U.S.-Russian relations to stabilize

I see no grounds to be optimistic about U.S.-Russian relations in 2015. The main problem will be the impact of anti-Russian sanctions on relations between Moscow and Washington. It is not a question of whether relations between the Kremlin and the White House will be neutral or bad, but of how bad.

The main thing is to avert a worsening of the crisis and to try to maintain a dialogue. Issues such as combating terrorism, preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Iran’s nuclear program and Syria could provide a way to extend opportunities for dialogue.

Environmental issues and climate change could also be points of tentative contact between Russia and the West next year. But under U.S. President Barack Obama’s present administration, no one should expect U.S.-Russian relations to stabilize.

Source: Russia Direct