US-RUSSIA

For more than 200 years, Russia and the United States have shared a multi-faceted diplomatic
relationship, at one point even sharing a land border when Russia had a settlement at Fort Ross,
California. Over this period, the two countries have competed for political and economic influence, and
cooperated to meet mutual global challenges. In 2007, private and government organizations in the
United States and Russia mark the bicentennial of diplomatic relations with events that illustrate the
depth and history of the relationship.
Brief Historical Overview
Russia's sale of Alaska to the U.S. Government in the mid-19th century marked an active period that
included commercial joint ventures and Russian support for the United States during the American
Civil War. The early 20th century saw sometimes tense relations, but our countries continued to talk
and, at times, cooperate. Although the United States did not recognize the Soviet Union until 1933, we
provided humanitarian assistance to the victims of the 1921-1923 famine. Despite our differences, the
Soviets and the Americans united against a common enemy during World War II, and the Soviet Union
participated in the Lend-Lease program under which the United States provided the Allies with
supplies. That period ended with the onset of the Cold War, as our military alliances opposed each
other in Europe and across the globe. Nevertheless, cultural, sports, scientific, and educational
exchanges, and summits that led to important arms control treaties, kept the lines of communication
open. U.S. and Soviet astronauts even ventured into space together in the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz mission.
After the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the end of the Cold War, the U.S.-Russian
relationship took on a new dimension, and contacts between our citizens expanded rapidly in number
and diversity. Russians and Americans work together on a daily basis, both bilaterally and
multilaterally, in a wide range of areas, including combating the threats of terrorism, nuclear arms
proliferation, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, and other global challenges. Not surprisingly,
there remain issues on which our two governments do not agree. Even after 200 years, our relations
continue to evolve in both expected and unexpected ways.
The Planetary Society is known to have collaborated with Russia, especially Cosmos 1 and LIFE.
According to The Washington Post, NASA recently renewed a contract that requires Russia to aid in
transporting U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station. While adding additional support at the
Russian launch site, this contract is costing the United States $457.9 million. Along with the renewal
NASA has also announced that they will be cutting some contacts with Russia after the country
annexed Crimea which includes meetings, and teleconferences. The funding the United States
continues to borrow from Russia is due to the lack of funding NASA is receiving from congress
Following the demise of the Soviet Union, the United States and Russia signed a bilateral treaty called
the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START II). Signed by George H. W. Bush and Boris Yeltsin on
January 3, 1993, it banned the use of multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles on
intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The United States and Russia have conducted joint military maneuvers, training and counterterrorist exercises in Germany. This was done in hopes to strengthen relations with the United States
and Russia.[138] The Russian president has also proposed that the United States and Russia put a
joint missile defense system in Azerbaijan, a proposal being considered by the United States. [139] In

2008, in response to tensions over Georgia, the United States had cancelled its most recent
joint NATO-Russia military exercises.[
As of August 2012, the U.S. and Russia continue to hold joint military exercises like Northern Eagle
(held since 2004, together with Norway)[140][141][142] and Vigilant/Watchful Eagle (with Canada)
[143]
among others, with the aim of improving joint cooperation against terrorism and piracy.
NATORussia relations
Russian-American relations are heavily influenced by the United States' deep involvement
with NATO and its policies. NATO and Russia agreed to cooperate on security issues at the 2002 Rome
summit and have been gradually improving relations ever since. However, due to the expansion of the
alliance, the Russian intervention in Georgia, Russias war campaign against Ukraine and other
controversies, relations deteriorated significantly.
US-GEORGIA
The United States established diplomatic relations with Georgia in 1992 following Georgias
1991 independence from the Soviet Union. Since 1991, Georgia has made impressive
progress fighting corruption, developing modern state institutions, and enhancing global
security. The United States is committed to helping Georgia deepen Euro-Atlantic ties and
strengthen its democratic institutions. The United States supports Georgias sovereignty and
territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and does not recognize the
Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia, currently occupied by Russia, as
independent. As a participant of the Geneva International Discussions on the conflict in
Georgia, the United States continues to play an active role in support of these principles.
The strength of U.S.-Georgia relations is codified in the 2009 U.S.-Georgia Charter on
Strategic Partnership. The U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission comprises four
bilateral working groups on priority areas identified in the Charter: democracy; defense and
security; economic, trade, and energy issues; and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
In addition to holding a high-level plenary session of the Commission each year, senior-level
U.S. and Georgian policymakers lead yearly meetings of each working group to review
commitments, update activities, and establish future objectives. Since the signing of the
Charter, the United States and Georgia have strengthened their mutual cooperation based on
U.S. support for Georgias sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its commitment to further
democratic and economic reforms.
U.S. Assistance to Georgia
U.S. Government assistance to Georgia supports the consolidation of Georgia's democracy;
its eventual integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions; progress toward a peacefully unified
nation, secure in its borders; and further development of its free-market economy.
Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States and Georgia seek to identify opportunities for U.S. businesses to invest in
Georgia, and for both countries to sell goods and services to each other. They have signed a
bilateral investment treaty and a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement.
Georgia can export many products duty-free to the United States under the Generalized
System of Preferences program. Through a high-level trade and investment dialogue, the two
countries have discussed a range of options to improve economic cooperation and bilateral
trade, including the possibility of a free trade agreement. They have also discussed ways to
improve Georgias business climate to attract more investment, underscoring the importance
of continued improvements in rule of law, respect for labor rights, and protecting intellectual
property rights. From 2006 to 2011, a Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact helped
promote Georgian enterprise and economic growth through investments in physical
infrastructure. In 2013, the MCC awarded Georgia a second compact, focused on education.
Georgia's Membership in International Organizations
Georgia and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations,
including the United Nations, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade
Organization. Georgia also is an observer to the Organization of American States and a
participant in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Partnership for Peace program.
U.S.-UKRAINE RELATIONS
The United States established diplomatic relations with Ukraine in 1991, following its
independence from the Soviet Union. The United States attaches great importance to the
success of Ukraine's transition to a modern democratic state with a flourishing market
economy. U.S. policy is centered on realizing and strengthening a democratic, prosperous,
and secure Ukraine more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures. The
U.S.-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership highlights the importance of the bilateral
relationship and outlines enhanced cooperation in the areas of defense, security, economics
and trade, energy security, democracy, and cultural exchanges. It also emphasizes the
continued commitment of the United States to support enhanced engagement between the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukraine. To fulfill one of the key tenets of the
charter, the two countries have established the Strategic Partnership Commission.
U.S. Assistance to Ukraine

U.S. Government assistance to Ukraine aims to support the development of a democratic,

prosperous, and secure Ukraine, fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community.
Bilateral Economic Relations
The United States has granted Ukraine market economy status and terminated the application
of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to Ukraine, giving Ukraine permanent normal trade relations
status. The United States and Ukraine have a bilateral investment treaty. U.S. exports to
Ukraine include coal, machinery, vehicles, agricultural products, fish and seafood, and
aircraft. U.S. imports from Ukraine include iron and steel, inorganic chemicals, oil, iron and
steel products, aircraft, and agricultural products. The U.S.-Ukraine Council on Trade and
Investment was established under the countries' agreement on trade and investment
cooperation and works to increase commercial and investment opportunities by identifying
and removing impediments to bilateral trade and investment flows.
Ukraine's Membership in International Organizations
Ukraine and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations,
including the United Nations, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade
Organization. Ukraine also is an observer to the Organization of American States
The state of trade and economic relations and investment between the United States and
Ukraine
According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the trade turnover between Ukraine
and the U.S. in January-June 2016 decreased by 19,3% (or 176,2 million U.S. dollars)
compared to the previous year and amounted to 738,2 million U.S. dollars.
Bilateral trade deficit was 205 million U.S. dollars.
There was a decrease in exports of Ukrainian goods to the U.S. by 42% (or 193 million U.S.
dollars) and by the end of June 2016, and it amounted to 266,6 million U.S. dollars. At the
same time, imports of the U.S. products in Ukraine has increased by 3,7% (or 16,8 million
U.S. dollars) and totaled 471,6 million U.S. dollars by the end of June this year.
U.S. - Ukraine total trade turnover in goods (million U.S. dollars)

2011 2012

2013

2014

2015

6-

6-

Change

2015

U.S. General
from Ukraine

U.S. Total
Ukraine

Imports 1460 1352,2 1035,9 934

export

848

to 2104 1936,0 1923,9 1239.8 859.6

-583,8

-888

-305.8

-11.5

2016

2015/ 2014

+/-

459.
6

266.
6

58.0

193.0

454.
8

471.
6

103.
7

16.8

4.8

-205

738.
2

80.7

176.2

Trade balance

-644

Total trade turnover

3564 3288,2 2959,8 2173.8 1707.7 914.

4

Trade in goods by month (million U.S. dollars)

Month

2016

Exports

Imports

Balance

January

42,9

66,1

-23,1

February

38,9

85,0

-46,2

March

45,4

96,8

-51,4

April

53,1

74,9

-21,8

May

47,1

74,5

-27,4

June

39,3

74,4

-35,1

Total

266,7

471,7

-205

U.S.-Moldova Relations
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States recognized the independence
of Moldova on December 25, 1991 and opened an Embassy in its capital, Chisinau, in March
1992. The United States supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of
Moldova and on that basis supports the 5+2 negotiations to find a comprehensive settlement
that will provide a special status for the separatist region of Transnistria within a territorially
whole and sovereign Moldova.
U.S. Assistance to Moldova
U.S. government assistance aims to help Moldova strengthen its democratic institutions,
increase prosperity, secure its internationally recognized borders, and integrate with Europe
and the Euro-Atlantic community. Since 1992, the United States has provided over $1.4 billion
in assistance to Moldova. A fact sheet on U.S. assistance to Moldova can be found here.
Moldovas $262 million, 5-year Millennium Challenge Corporation compact for economic
development and investment projects in irrigation infrastructure, high-value agricultural
production, and road rehabilitation ended in 2015. More details on Moldovas MCC compact
are available here.
Bilateral Economic Relations
As a country with a small market, Moldova benefits from liberalized trade and investment and
wants to promote the export of its goods and services. A U.S.-Moldovan trade agreement
providing reciprocal most-favored-nation tariff treatment took effect in 1992. The same year,
an Overseas Private Investment Corporation agreement was signed, encouraging U.S.
private investment in Moldova through direct loans and loan guarantees. A bilateral
investment treaty was signed in 1993. The United States granted Moldova generalized system
of preferences status in 1995, and some Eximbank coverage became available the same
year.
Moldova's Membership in International Organizations
Moldova is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe, the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the International Monetary Fund, the World

Bank, the World Trade Organization, the GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic
Development, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Partnership for Peace program
among others. The current Government of Moldova seeks closer integration with Europe.
Moldova signed an Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free
Trade Area (DCFTA), on June 27, 2014 and ratified the Agreement on July 2, 2014. The EU
lifted the visa requirement for Moldovan citizens (holders of biometric passports) on April 28,
2014 (for travel up to three months).
Bilateral Representation The Ambassador of the United States to Moldova is James D.
Pettit.
Bilateral legal framework
Moldovan - American bilateral relations are regulated by 48 bilateral treaties, agreements,
memorandum, amendments, declarations in the economic, military, education and scientific
research fields
Economic relations
In order to boost economic relations between the Republic of Moldova and the US in 2003
was created the Moldovan-American Committee for economic cooperation. Its last meeting
was held in Washington, DC, on March 3, 2014, during the official visit to the US of the Primeminister of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Iurie Leanca.
A Moldovan-American working group in the energy sector was launched in Chisinau on
March 24, 2014, as part of the bilateral Strategic Dialogue, recently initiated in Washington.
The Coordinator for International Energy Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, Ambassador
Carlos Pascual said the United States would provide the needed support for Moldovas
integration into the European energy system and reiterated the USAs further backing to
increase investments in projects on energy efficiency and renewable energy.
According to the data of the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova, in 2014
the Moldovan-American trade totaled 108448.6 million USD (an increase of 10% compared
with 2013), of which exports - 32.1 million USD (increased by 27% compared with 2013),
imports - 76.4 million USD (increased by 3.8% compared with 2013).
U.S. Assistance to Moldova
Since 1992, the United States has provided nearly $1.2 billion in assistance to Moldova,
including over $22 million in FY 2013 and a five-year, $262 million Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) Compact launched in 2010. This assistance has supported an array of
democratic, economic, justice-sector, and other reforms that advance Moldovas European
integration and illustrate the strength of the U.S.-Moldova bilateral relationship. As part of
Prime Minister Leancas visit to Washington (March 3-4, 2014), the United States announced
a 60-percent increase of U.S. assistance targeted to boost the productivity and
competitiveness of Moldovan businesses and to facilitate access of Moldovan wine to

European Union (EU) markets. Ongoing U.S. programs in Moldova support the following
objectives:
Supporting Sustainable Economic Growth
The programs announced today will help Moldovan businesses benefit from the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement under the Association Agreement that Moldova
expects to sign with the EU later this year, leading to increased investment and job creation.
Additionally, U.S. academic and professional exchanges will enhance Moldovans business
skills and agricultural productivity. The United States also encourages foreign investment in
Moldova by helping to reduce barriers to trade and improve the ease of doing business.
These programs complement the MCC Compact, which supports a transition to high-value
agriculture through the rehabilitation of roads and irrigation systems.
Strengthening Democracy and the Rule of Law
Programs strengthen Moldovas democratic institutions and processes, including by
promoting a vibrant civil society, improving local governance, and supporting more active
participation by Moldovans in civic life. U.S. assistance also strengthens the rule of law in
Moldova by improving judicial administration, training judges and prosecutors, and promoting
public awareness of justice-sector reforms and legislation. Collectively, these programs
reduce corruption while increasing government transparency and accountability, which will be
crucial to fulfilling Moldovas European aspirations.
Enhancing Security and Law Enforcement
The United States also provides assistance to help Moldova prevent and combat
transnational crimes, particularly trafficking in persons, cybercrime, and the illicit trafficking of
nuclear materials. These programs help to ensure the integrity of Moldovas borders and
assist Moldova in meeting EU visa liberalization and border security requirements. The
United States also supports the professionalization of Moldovas military. U.S. assistance
enhances Moldovas capabilities to become a force provider for peacekeeping and stability
operations and to promote regional security.
U.S. assistance through the Millennium Challenge Corporation
The Compact is an assistance program offered to the Republic of Moldova by the U.S.
Government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation for the period 2010-2015,
providing major investment in eradication of constraints hindering the Moldovan economy,
such as disastrous roads infrastructure and underdeveloped irrigation system.
The Compact is implemented according to the Agreement signed on 22 January 2010 by the
Government of the Republic of Moldova and the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Under this financial agreement, our country will be provided financial assistance valued 262
million U.S. dollars for a period of five years, to implement the projects Transition to a modern
agriculture and Rehabilitation of road network.