At the same time, an ongoing rapprochement with the United States does not mean that there should be no diversification of Russian relations with other states. We must continue to improve our relations with Europe and with China. Improvement of relations with other major powers, however, should not be interpreted as a challenge to the United States or a threat to Russo-American relations. At the same time, the United States should not expect us to walk in lockstep with American positions. There should be room for consultations and frank discussions of key issues.

Yevgeny Primakov is the president of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He has had a distinguished career in government, including serving as Foreign Minister (1996-98) and Prime Minister (1998-99) in the Yeltsin Administration.