The so-called “Lobster Summit” between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Bush occurring at the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine is both historic and symbolic in many respects. President Putin has the distinction of being the first foreign head of state invited by the current President to his personal family retreat. Former President George H.W. Bush is the official host. Although there is no specific agenda underscoring the summit, it is the direct result of a series of cascading foreign policy disputes between the United States and Russia, and an increasing atmosphere of belligerence emanating from Russia that seems more reminiscent of the Cold War era.
At this time of rapidly deteriorating relations, a one-on-one meeting between the Presidents is seen as an overdue effort to improve US-Russian relations before the relationship becomes too damaged.
Meeting of the Minds
Some analysts view this very personal hosting by President Bush—at a time when Russia has been issuing vitriolic rhetoric about US foreign policy—as a sign of weakness on the part of the US. To the Russian audience, the harsh words espoused by President Putin are forcing the United States to listen to Russia. This reasoning is a little naive. Diplomatically, the Kennebunkport meeting is a shrewd move—for the United States for offering such a personal meeting place, and for Russia for accepting the meeting and location. Although, officials warned that it was unlikely that any major problems would be solved a the summit, the fact that such a meeting has taken place at all is at least diplomatic evidence that the two sides can exchange viewpoints and positions without animosity.
Deteriorating Relations
The fact that the US and Russia are in this position at the present time is a far cry from the hope and aspirations for the US-Russian relationship six years ago. President Bush’s now famous comment about looking into Putin’s soul raised many eyebrows at the time, but was probably meant to signal hope for a more positive post Cold War working relationship. At the same time, President Putin, was lauded for offering help to the US after the September 11th terrorist attacks , and being an initial strong ally in the War on the Terrorism. However, both sides’ paths began to diverge a few years later. Several issues converged to further strain the relationship. Critics claim the West has overlooked Russia’s brutal suppression tactics in Chechnya in the name of fighting terror. After a series of major attacks in Russia by Chechen terrorists culminating in the brutal Beslan school siege , President Putin further consolidated his power under the guise of security. Under Putin’s tenure, Russia has improved its economy immensely, become a major energy player, and is re-emerging as a force on the world stage as a counter to the US’s lone superpower status. At the same time, some fundamental tenets of democracy have been eroded in Russia. Russia and the US also diverged over the war in Iraq, and the support once felt by the US for the war on terrorism rapidly vanished.
Progress on Current Issues of Dispute
Current areas of dispute include the proposed US missile intercept system (Previous Report) in Europe, the future independence of Kosovo (Previous Report), and dealing with Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Statements from the summit while not definitive, indicate some sort of progress and unity on the Iran issue where Russia and the US may be speaking along the same lines about the Iran issue in the United Nations (UN) Security Council. Currently, the Security Council is debating a US proposal to impose sanctions against Iran for continuing to enrich uranium. A proposal has been made to Iran that the Security Council will hold off sanctions if Iran stops expanding its program while talks are restarted.
Russia to date has been against sanctions for Iran. Russia has a continued business interest in Iran and has helped it with some nuclear technology. While Russia may also see aiding Iran as a counterbalance to US influence in the region, it may also be rethinking the dangers of a nuclear Iran.
No progress was mentioned on the Kosovo issue, but apparently, President Putin added to his previous counter-proposal to the proposed US interceptor missile system in Europe. Putin had previously proposed basing the component system at an old radar site in Azerbaijan, but now has proposed brand new sites in southern Russia, as well as a regional approach to missile defense between Russia and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). However, the US still wants components in the Czech Republic and Poland, and Russia is vehemently against this suggestion.
Future
It is unlikely that the “Lobster Summit” can turn the US-Russia relationship around immediately, However it is possible that the summit can provide an interlude for the continual disagreements between the two sides.
However as Russia becomes more assertive in its foreign policy concerns, we anticipate more thoughtful diplomatic maneuvers will have to be utilized in order to prevent further deterioration of the US-Russian relationship.
