NATO-Russia Relations in the Twenty-First Century - Obstacles and Opportunities for Strategic Partnership

The NATO–Russian relations remain to be one of the major strands of global security in the twenty-first century. Given the more complex threats to global security today, the rising energy demand and dependency of Europe, andincreasing foreign trade between the parties, Russia’s relations with the West, as a major fossil-fuel exporter and nuclear country, have become increasingly important. The new security environment of post-–September 11 hasprepared a common ground for a closer partnership between old enemies. However, the attempts from both sides have been unable to move beyond a certain level of cooperation. This thesis presents an analysis as to the likelihood of a true NATO–Russia strategic partnership by exploring the perspectives of Russia and NATO, long standing obstacles and differences, and opportunities in the twenty-first century. It seeks to answer the broad question of whether it is possible for Russia and NATO to make a clean sweep of lingering legacies of deep-seated antagonism and distrust, move beyond cultural, religious, and historical differences, and lay the foundations of a healthy lasting partnership.