New era of cooperation?

Thursday, April 2, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

There is no denying U.S. relations with Russia have deteriorated, thanks in no small part to Russia’s bullying tactics in neighboring Georgia and the Bush administration’s support for missile defense equipment in Poland. If those relations worsen, neither side benefits.

It could make it even more difficult to deal with nuclear proliferation, terrorism and other pressing global issues.

That is why it was good to see President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agree Wednesday in London to begin negotiations on a new nuclear arms treaty. The Washington Post reported that the leaders also agreed to discourage Iran’s nuclear ambitions, fight terrorism and curb nuclear proliferation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and express concern over North Korea’s expected ballistic missile launch.

Obama and Medvedev said in a joint statement that they “are ready to move beyond Cold War mentalities and chart a fresh start in relations between our two countries.”

This is not to suggest that everything is suddenly copacetic between the two nations. The Obama administration, in the interest of our national security and that of our European friends, should insist that Russia concentrate on building solid democratic institutions at home and not send signals that it wishes to spread its influence over Eastern Europe.

Medvedev needs to be held to his word that his country has no interest in returning to the Cold War days of yesteryear, when Eastern European nations were dominated by the former Soviet Union.

If the latest agreement helps the U.S. and Russia reverse their strained relationship, though, the benefits could be substantial. The U.S. cannot fight terrorism and nuclear proliferation on its own. This country has a better chance of succeeding in these endeavors with a cooperative Russia by its side.

With the two leaders scheduled to meet again in Moscow in July, it would be beneficial for both nations to continue to find ways between now and then to improve this relationship.