U.S-RUSSIA RELATIONS: CHALLENGES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR GLOBAL SECURITY

The paper examines the cyclical nature of U.S-Russia relations in the 21st century; with special regards to the administration of U.S President Barrack Obama and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Specifically, the study examines the challenges and implications of confrontation between the two states. It takes the annexation of Crimea as the origin of headlong disagreement in recent time although the work acknowledges that Russia’s annexation of Crimea does not constitute the genesis of disagreement in post-cold war relations. In a qualitative manner, the study examines the historical antecedents of U.S- Russia relations and adopts the neo-realist tenets as theoretical guide for approximating the complex realities of U.S Russia relations. Structured interview with expert in the field of international relations particularly those specializing in the study of U.S-Russian relations, alongside documents from official websites of states were engaged. The paper discovers that of all the bonds of bilateral relations, it is the bond of U.S-Russia relations that directly have implications on global security especially because of the threat of nuclear misconception and war. Consequently, the study recommends that, U.S. and Russia must recognise the lasting quality of international politics and create a basis of understanding as such by acknowledging the legitimate interests and concerns of the other