Europe's role in the world.

• Position: Speech

Editor's Note: On May 9 during a Victory Day address in Red Square President Putin said "The number of threats is not decreasing. They are only transforming and changing the guise. As during the Third Reich era, these new threats show the same contempt for human life and claims to world exclusiveness and diktat." The following day the Russian Foreign Ministry denied that Putin had the United States in mind. On the same day in Berlin, Assistant Secretary Fried gave a much more measured assessment of the relationship and the challenges ahead. In this excerpt from a speech on "Europe's Role in the World" Assistant Secretary Fried provides a definitive statement of what the West's policy and approach toward Russia should be. Those readers who wish to read the entire speech should go to www.state.gov and type "Daniel Fried" after "search".--Assoc. Ed.

Excerpted Remarks on Russia's Relations with the West The Europa Forum Program Berlin, Germany, May 9, 2007

Now let me turn to Russia, even more on our minds this week than usual. Russia and the West have dealt with one another--sometimes well, more often uneasily--since at least Peter the Great. It would be hubris to proclaim some policy to resolve overnight the relationship between Russia and the West.

We've had some spectacular differences with Russia recently: CFE (Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe), Estonia, Missile Defense; and persistent differences, increasingly over democracy. And more differences may arise, possibly over Kosovo, for example.

But let us be steady. It is long-term partnership with Russia that we seek, and not simply management of difficulties. Let me suggest some principles for relations with Russia through what will be a complicated period as Russia moves toward an expected transfer of power this year and early next.

One is tactical: the United States and the European Union should cooperate with Russia when at all possible; push back only when necessary; and at all times be realistic about Russia.

In this regard, encouraged by the wise advice of Chancellor Merkel, the United States is intensifying strategic dialogue with Russia, including on CFE, missile defense, and post-START arrangements. Secretaries Rice and Gates have agreed to a "two-plus-two" format with their counterparts, suggested by the way by the Russians, to consider these issues. We seek common approaches on missile defense, not rhetorical sparring.

A second principle is values based: we should be clear...