Two new papers on U.S. Relations with Russia and the Ukraine

Steven Pifer, former ambassador to Ukraine, has released two important new papers on imperatives for renewing U.S. relations with Russia, and with Ukraine.  The Forum on Contemporary Europe is pleased to provide access to the following papers:

Engaging Ukraine in 2009
Co-authors Steven Pifer, Anders Åslund, and Jonathan Elkind discuss U.S. interests in a successful Ukraine and describes four key challenges currently facing Kyiv.   This paper then discusses in more detail the above policy recommendations for strengthening U.S.-Ukrainian relations and for helping Ukraine to meet these challenges and continue its transformation into a modern, successful European democracy. 

Reversing the Decline: An Agenda for U.S.-Russian Relations in 2009
This paper reviews how U.S.-Russian relations went off course. It looks at what Moscow wants. It offers policy recommendations for the Obama administration and concludes with suggestions on tactics and a notional calendar for engaging Russia in 2009.

Steven Pifer is former ambassador to Ukraine.  Steven Pifer’s career as a Foreign Service officer centered on Europe, the former Soviet Union and arms control. In addition to Kyiv, he had postings in London, Moscow, Geneva and Warsaw as well as on the National Security Council.  He is currently at Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution, focusing on Ukraine and Russia issues.  He is a frequent invited expert speaker at the Forum on Contemporary Europe.