Relations Between Obama, Putin Show Clear Signs of Relaxation

The nuclear deal with Iran and the withdrawal of heavy weapons by militias in Eastern Ukraine are clear signs of a thaw in Russia-US relations. The EU has to develop its own strategy as soon as possible. Otherwise, European taxpayers will have to pay a heavy price for the chaos in Ukraine, DWN wrote.

Relations between the US and Russia show clear signs of relaxation, as the interview of President Barack Obama with Thomas Friedman of the New York Times demonstrated.

Only a few weeks ago US politicians labelled Russia as one of the most dangerous security challenges alongside with the Islamic State. Now Obama stated that the deal on Iran’s nuclear program would be impossible without Russia’s participation.

Obama praised the constructive role that Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian negotiating team had played in the talks with Iran almost in friendly words.

In contrast to his earlier statements, in which he constantly mentioned Russian “aggression” in Ukraine, he now spoke of "differences" in the assessment of the Ukrainian situation.

According to DWN, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry are trying to stabilize the situation in Ukraine. A visit by John Kerry to Moscow a few months ago signified the start of joint cooperative efforts in this direction, the newspaper wrote.

Donbass militias started withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line on Saturday, a sign that the situation in Ukraine may finally deescalate.

However, improving relations between Moscow and Washington are alarming for EU countries. After months of confrontation with Putin, European leaders who blindly followed US instructions have now found themselves offside, DWN wrote.

First of all, EU countries have had to pay an enormous price for anti-Russian sanctions which have had a devastating impact on their economies.

Second, their hope to do business with Iran after the nuclear deal was reached could prove to be an illusion. Unlike Russia, the EU did not entertain any contacts with Iran during the sanctions.

And finally, the major problem for the EU is the situation in Ukraine. According to the newspaper, the “reckless” Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine will be a burden to European taxpayers as the cost of the Ukrainian "rescue" will exceed those for Greece by many times.

To at least partially avoid the financial damage, the EU should lift anti-Russian sanctions as soon as possible. According to DWN, EU should take its own stance in international politics and act independently in light of the thaw in US-Russia relations. Otherwise, EU countries may pay a heavy price for their blind obedience to the US policy.