With Russia, we must ‘walk and chew gum’
By Robert Gard
March 26, 2014
The March 25 editorial “Losing sleep over Russia and nuclear proliferation,” laid out the importance of the U.S.-Russian relationship, despite Crimea. However, Russian aggression in Crimea has caused some experts to believe all U.S.-Russian cooperation is DOA.
Yet, nuclear inspections under the New START treaty continue.
Nearly 50 percent of Syria’s chemical weapons have been shipped for destruction under the agreed U.S.-Russian framework.
On the multilateral talks to control Iran’s nuclear program, the Iranian foreign minister is “optimistic about July 20” and having an agreement before the diplomatic deadline.
Together, the United States and Russia have been able to secure dangerous nuclear materials, minimize proliferation, reduce the number of nuclear weapons that could instantly target U.S. cities and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, thereby enhancing U.S. and global security.
Throughout the Cold War and since, the United States and Russia have worked cooperatively on issues of mutual interest. While Russian actions in Crimea are unacceptable, we cannot put other security interests in jeopardy just to make the point.
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