Valdai Club

Another issue of the joint project of Kommersant and The Washington Times on the Russia-US relations (the project was spearheaded by the Valdai Discussion Club, and now supported by the Center for the National Interest in Washington) is dedicated to the prospects for economic cooperation.

The proverbial rule of market players is to sell when everyone buys and buy when everyone sells. In other words, one should never succumb to prevailing emotions and should look forward instead. This stock-market wisdom is quite applicable to the current state of the Russia-US relations in the economic field. A quick glance instills grief. Politics is almost beset by a Cold War. The economy is dominated by gloomy bulletins about oil prices, ruble rates, overall instability. What is there to discuss?

Fortunately, not everyone breaks down. Another issue of the joint project of Kommersant and The Washington Times on the Russia-US relations (the project was spearheaded by the Valdai Discussion Club, and now supported by the Center for the National Interest in Washington) is dedicated to the prospects for the Russia-US relations.

The authors refrain from sugarcoating the reality. It has nuances for each of them, although the general picture at the moment is quite dismal. However, both concur that no matter what is happening today, the potential is great, and it will never fade, and the ugly conjuncture will inevitably be substituted by a more favourable one. It is gratifying to see an example of optimism, though it is realistic. We will continue to search for these sparks in the Russia-US relations further.

Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Director of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club



Andrei Klepach, Chief Economist of Vnesheconombank of Russia, former Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Russia (2008-2014)

Doing business in a Russian economy. By Daniel A.Russel 

Daniel A. Russell, President and CEO of the U.S.-Russia Business Council