Russian-American Relations

Much has been done to ensure greater predictability of the Russia-U.S. relations.
Bilateral cooperation include working jointly in the interest of international security and strategic stability, combatting international terrorism, facilitating there solution of regional conflicts, developing trade and economic ties and expanding people-to-people contacts.

Bilateral ties are maintained at an intensive level. Since 2009, the presidents of Russia and the U.S. have held 19 bilateral meetings, apart from their regular telephone conversations and letter exchanges. Heads of the foreign affairs agencies of the two countries continue their robust dialogue as well.

In 2009, at the Russia-U.S. Summit in Moscow a decision was made to establish the Russia-U.S. Bilateral Presidential Commission on development of cooperation in key areas. The work of the Commission is coordinated by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs and U.S. Secretary of State. Over 60 Russian and U.S. governmental agencies are involved in its work. Since its creation, more than 400 joint meetings, exchanges and trainings have been held under its auspices. The Commission’s 20 working groups serve as a forum for interaction between Russian and U.S. representatives of the widest range of professions – from high-tech entrepreneurs to nuclear scientists, from experts on countering drug-trafficking to inventors of new green technologies.

Throughout its existence, the Commission has turned into one of the institutions that allows for maintaining the development of sustainable cooperation between our two countries. In less than two years, tangible results have been achieved in numerous fields.

A regular dialogue on pressing international problems, including the resolution of regional conflicts, is maintained. Russia and the United States cooperate in international organizations and fora, primarily the United Nations and G8, as well as in the bilateral format to counter new threats to international security such as proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, transnational terrorism and drug trafficking.

Cooperation in the political-military sphere is a vital part of Russian-American relations. The new Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, signed on April 8, 2010, came into effect on February 5, 2011.

Bilateral collaboration in the nuclear sphere is also developing dynamically. The intergovernmental Agreement for Cooperation in the Field of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy which was signed in 2008 came into force on January 11, 2011.

The intergovernmental Agreement concerning the Management and Disposition of Plutonium Designated as no Longer Required for the Defense Purposes and Related Cooperation signed back in 2000 came into effect on July 13, 2011.

Russia and the United States cooperate in the field of space exploration, actively interacting in carrying out scientific experiments on studying the Solar System.

Our countries have long been partners in ensuring the operation of the International Space Station (ISS). Russian manned and cargo spacecraft are the main means of delivering crews and cargos to the ISS.

In the framework of parliamentary ties, there are regular exchanges between members of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the U.S. Congress.

U.S. Congress has established the Russia Caucus focusing on trade and economic relations. The working group “Federal Assembly of Russia – U.S. Senate” continues to operate.

The legal and regulatory foundation of modern Russian-American relations has recently been supplemented by such important documents as the new START treaty, as well as agreements on military transit to Afghanistan, cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy, visa facilitation and cooperation in adoption of children, a Memorandum on cooperation in Antarctica, and others. Bilateral consultations on agreements concerning special flights and reciprocal protection of the federally owned cultural treasures during exhibitions in Russia and the U.S. are under way. Memorandum on the creation of the Beringia transboundary natural reserve and on cooperation between Russian and American regions are being discussed.