Russia and the West should work together

Vladimir Putin is a difficult head of state to deal with and in the past has given the West valid reasons to isolate Russia. However, he shares similar motivations to other world leaders including wanting the best for his citizens through participation as an equal partner on the world stage. A careful study of Russia's history since the collapse of the Soviet Union shows that the West is not without fault, taking advantage of Russia economically and breaking it's word when it came to the expansion of NATO and the European Union ^[1] . The West has consistently missed opportunities to bring Russia into the fold normalising its participation in multilateral institutions and with it the behaviour of its leaders ^[2] . Russia remains a powerful actor on the world stage. The largest country by landmass, its geographic position stretching across Europe and Asia means that it will continue to have shared interests on two continents. It's economy is the 11th largest in the world, it has the largest natural gas reserves and the second largest nuclear weapons stockpile in the world. From tackling climate change to achieving multinational disarmament, Russia's participation in tackling the great global challenges of the 21st century will be necessary and will only be achieved through the active resetting of relations. Whether the West engages with Putin's Russia or not it will continue to hold a prominent position in international institutions from the UN Security Council to the G20 where it can continue to frustrate Western interests and undermine peace and security. The resetting of relations could ease the growing number of Russian vetoes in the UN Security Council and see Putin support rather than undermine the current international rules based system ^[3] . Russia under Putin has developed close ties with many regimes that the West opposes from the clerical theocracy in Iran to the Maduro regime in Venezuela. The resetting of relations with Russia could have the added impact of resolving some of the current diplomatic crises and military tensions between the West and these regimes, or at the very least it could lead to Putin electing not to actively support countries with anti-Western sentiments.

[P1] Russia is a powerful and influential state. [P2] Vladimir Putin has similar motivations to other world leaders. [P3] Russia has an important role to play in tackling global challenges. [P4] Russia remains obstructive in international institutions and supports rising anti-Western sentiment.