Main thing is that U.S. and Russia do not harm Baku-Yerevan dialogue by reckless moves: expert

Day.Az: Will Russian and U.S. leaders be able to improve or reset bilateral ties which is expected by many around the world?

Artem Malgin: I think that, in principle, the reset will take place. It is now necessary both for America and Russia. The recent visit of U.S. President to Moscow revived all the directions of bilateral cooperation including the dialogue on disarmament issues for the first time in the last 7 to 8 years.

A mechanism for informal dialogue has also been set up. This is not just talking of the so-called wise men but a group, which has been tasked to formulate proposals to develop Russia-U.S. relations. Now everything is updated and let us hope that the dialogue will be developed. Despite the fact that the turnover of Russia with the United States is less than 16 times than with the EU, the economic crisis has shown that we are dependent on each other as we are part of the global financial system.

I think that some old problems of Americanism in Russian public opinion that have existed since the time of Kosovo have been overcome which is also important. This is already a kind of a restart of Russia-United States ties.

An agreement on strategic offensive arms can be described as a preliminary result. Let's hope that a new dialogue will be launched by the end of the year. We know that when there is a sustained dialogue on the START, he penetrates to other spheres as well. Unfortunately, we do not have a central element of joint action with the United States such economy or energy. Therefore, this role is performed by START in relations with the United States.

Q: Do you think Obama, unlike his predecessor, will be more receptive to the idea of joint use of Gabala radar?

A: I think that now the prospects of this idea are better. The point is that this idea was not seriously discussed at a time of the Bush administration. Now the idea is that you really need some common, not even the Russian-American, but a Russian-Western system of warning of something fantastic moves in the sphere of reality. Even if this idea will not be realized, then some negotiation on this matter will be held. It is clear that the elections in Iran will maintain for another few years current tense relations of Tehran with international community. North Korean problem also “contributes” to preservation of the tension. A more flexible approach by the Obama administration gives hopes for a progress in resolving existing problems.

Q: Do you think the degree of global understanding between Russia and the United States and the Karabakh settlement is independent?

A: To be honest, I think that the Karabakh settlement already lives its life and Russia and the United States do not play a serious role here. Yes, once it was important for the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to organize a dialogue and to make parties to seat at the negotiating table. Now the ratio has changed including the Azerbaijani-Armenian influence within the U.S. and Russia is now conducting a balanced policy towards Baku and Yerevan. Now the main thing is that the United States and Russia will not harm the process by reckless moves. The process is underway and they (Russia and the United States) should be close, not to interfere and cut off any unwanted third-force attempts to intervene.

/Day.Az/