Stosunki amerykańsko-rosyjskie: dynamika rywalizacji i współdziałania
American-Russian Relations: a Dynamic of Rivalry and Co-operation

Summary/Abstract: The Russian Federation is one of the most important partners of the United States, although contrary to widespread expectation, especially at the beginning of the 1990s, it has not become a part of the West. American-Russian relations have – almost from their beginning – been shaped by a dynamic of rivalry and co-operation. In recent years the closer relations between the two countries which came about after 11 September 2001, have been displaced by intensifying discord and deepening rivalry. One reason for this is the Bush administration’s objective of cementing America’s strategic advantage over Russia. The other is the ambition of Russia’s leaders to follow a multi-vector approach and thus more frequently and effectively than before to act as a counterbalance to the influence of the USA (and the West) in various regions of the world. Moscow is still a very important partner for Washington in many fields, especially in the fight against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. At the same time there has been a sharpening of American-Russian rivalry for influence over post-Soviet areas. The Kremlin is striving to prevent countries located in the area of the former Soviet empire from integrating into Euro-Atlantic structures. The arena for the American-Russian confrontation is increasingly becoming the continent of Europe. Russia’s long-term aim is to weaken the cohesion of the transatlantic relationship and to strengthen – at the cost of the ties linking America and Europe – its position in the triangle: United States – Europe (European Union and the European members of NATO) – Russian Federation.

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