McFaul: US sees Russia as a partner "despite big differences on Georgia".

The United States Ambassador in Moscow has told a seminar at the Moscow School of Political Studies that the Obama Administration does not regard Russia as a rival in security matters but views Moscow as a partner with whom it can jointly resolve global issues.. The American diplomat acknowledged however "big differences on Georgia". Ambassador Michael McFaul was speaking ahead of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Barack Obama on the margins of the upcoming G8 summit in Northern Ireland's Lough Erne on June 17-18.

 

"We do not consider Russia as a rival to the United States either in security or in the economy. President Obama favors relations that would benefit both countries rather than force a ‘zero-sum game' on them, as during the Cold War," according to a Russian-language transcript of McFaul's speech at a seminar of the Moscow School of Political Studies reported by the Russian News Agency Ria-Novosti

 

Having "better relations with Russia" is in Washington's national interests, McFaul said. "We believe so, and are working towards this goal," he added.

 

McFaul cited nuclear arms control, and the situations in North Korea, Iran, and also Afghanistan, especially after the planned US troop withdrawal in 2014, as among the global issues that Moscow and Washington need to address together.
 
The US ambassador said he is optimistic about the future of US-Russian relations despite "big differences on Georgia".  

 

source: commonspace.eu with RIA Novosti

 

photo: Michael McFaul (archive picture).

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Pashinyan says that he wants peace treaty with Azerbaijan by 2031

Pashinyan says that he wants peace treaty with Azerbaijan by 2031

Armenia should sign and ratify a peace treaty with Azerbaijan before 2031, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said. He described the objective as the top priority for his administration. Earlier, the Armenian prime minister also spoke about a possible land-swap with Azerbaijan Armenia and Azerbaijan should agree to establish a clear, conventional border without enclaves or exclaves, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said. Armenia controls three Azeri enclaves inside its borders while Baku controls one Armenian enclave – those could be subject to a land swap, Pashinyan announced.
Editor's choice
News
Medical Students stand for a Landmine Free South Caucasus

Medical Students stand for a Landmine Free South Caucasus

Medical Students in Tbilisi have participated in the campaign LANDMINE FREE SOUTH CAUCASUS 2026. The regional’ Landmine Free South Caucasus’ (LFSC) campaign was initiated by LINKS Europe Foundation in 2018 to address the critical issue of landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. With significant landmine contamination in the region posing an ongoing threat to life and eliciting high economic costs, LFSC advocated for a regional, holistic approach to complete clearance.  Future Doctors Join the Conversation on Friday, 16 October in Tbilisi. "As part of the Landmine Free South Caucasus 2026 campaign, an informative and interactive meeting was held in Tbilisi with medical students. The session was conducted by George Simonishvili, South Caucasus Co-ordinator for LINKS Europe.  The meeting focused on the humanitarian consequences of landmines and other explosive remnants of war in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, with particular attention to the Red Bridge minefield near the borders of the three countries, and emphasised that these dangers remain a current humanitarian challenge. It also underlined that future medical professionals will encounter the long-term effects of explosion injuries and can play a role in awareness and prevention.  Students actively engaged throughout the discussion, showing strong interest in the humanitarian impact and the need for cooperation. Under the slogan "Future Doctors for a Landmine Free South Caucasus," the event encouraged students to support public awareness, solidarity with survivors, and a safer South Caucasus free from landmine threats.  The event was organised by LINKS Europe as part of LFSC26.  "Medical Students Stand for a Landmine Free South Caucasus," "Future Doctors, Safer Futures: Together Against Landmines." "Future Doctors for a Landmine Free South Caucasus".

Popular

Editor's choice
Interview
Thursday Interview: Murad Muradov

Thursday Interview: Murad Muradov

Today, commonspace.eu starts a new regular weekly series. THURSDAY INTERVIEW, conducted by Lauri Nikulainen, will host  persons who are thinkers, opinion shapers, and implementors in their countries and spheres. We start the series with an interview with Murad Muradov, a leading person in Azerbaijan's think tank community. He is also the first co-chair of the Action Committee for a new Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue. Last September he made history by being the first Azerbaijani civil society activist to visit Armenia after the 44 day war, and the start of the peace process. Speaking about this visit Murad Muradov said: "My experience was largely positive. My negative expectations luckily didn’t play out. The discussions were respectful, the panel format bringing together experts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey was particularly valuable during the NATO Rose-Roth Seminar in Yerevan, and media coverage, while varied in tone, remained largely constructive. Some media outlets though attempted to represent me as more of a government mouthpiece than an independent expert, which was totally misleading.  Overall, I see these initiatives as important steps in rebuilding trust and normalising professional engagement. The fact that soon a larger Azerbaijani civil society visits to Armenia followed, reinforces the sense that this process is moving in the right direction." (click the image to read the interview in full)