CHICAGO, November 7 (RIA Novosti), Elizabeth Wojt — Russia and the United States need to set up boundaries and define their policies so that they can cooperate and work together to resolve ongoing issues, experts told RIA Novosti Friday.
"My own personal view [is] that the United States needs to make clear to President Putin and Russia that territorial aggression and military pressure on its neighboring states will lead to serious economic sanctions and to America assisting the military of these countries as part of its NATO commitment. I think a line has to be drawn," professor of history and political science at Vanderbilt University, Thomas Schwartz, said.
Relations between Russia and the United States have deteriorated amid the Ukrainian crisis, as Washington continued to blame Moscow for meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs. Moscow has repeatedly denied its alleged involvement in the situation in Ukraine, also expressing concern over the increased NATO military presence close to Russia's borders.
"I…think that if a clear line is drawn it might be possible for both countries to improve their relations. I think the uncertainty about America's response has led to Putin's willingness to test this commitment. I think if American policy was more defined, it would be easier for both countries to have their vital interests respected and to be able to negotiate," Schwartz added.
Since Crimea's reunification with Russia in March, the United States has introduced several rounds of economic sanctions against Russia, persuading its allies to add Russian companies and individuals to their own blacklists. Moscow has stressed that the sanctions are "counterproductive" and hurt both the target country and those using the measure.
"Everyone benefits when US and Russia are working together rather than working in conflict," Joshua D. Clinton, associate professor of political science at Vanderbilt University, said.
"The world is a safer and stronger place when our countries are partners rather than adversaries. Many of the problems that the world now faces are problems that require countries working together rather than in opposition. A world in which Russia and the US were working in tandem and together would be a world in which great changes could be made on enduring global issues," Clinton concluded.
