Going slow with Russia

The greatest promise for President Clinton’s European trip is scheduled to take place today, when he meets Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. The president and Mr. Barak are expected to discuss U.S. financial aid for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, as well as another Camp David-style round of peace negotiations between Israel and Palestinians. But the more delicate part of the trip occurs this weekend, with what should be a cautious trip to Moscow.

The president will end his trip with what aides call a “courtesy visit” to Moscow, and his first face-to-face visit with Vladimir Putin, Russia’s newly elected president. Many tensions exist between the United States and Russia, most notably America’s interest in revisiting the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972. The United States wants to amend the agreement to allow for a limited missile defense, ostensibly protecting the United States from attack by rogue nations; Russia opposes the measure. There is also significant concern from U.S. officials about the continuing economic turmoil in Russia, as well as Mr. Putin’s nationalistic leanings.

The president’s advisors are already cautioning the press to expect few headlines from Monday’s meeting, and this may well be a case where no news is good news. Mr. Clinton, in his waning days as president, has some credibility issues with Russia, not the least of which is his staunch support for Boris Yeltsin — whom, clearly, Mr. Putin and most Russians feel is yesterday’s politician, if they don’t blame him for the graft, cronyism and bureaucratic bungling that have contributed to Russia’s economic catastrophe.

Coming on the heels of the president’s China trade victory in the House, this is not the time to raise the specter of a nuclear arms race — which could well be the outcome of a U.S. push to implement a nuclear defense system. Nor is it the time to discuss new Western initiatives to haul Russia’s economy out of the mire. Mr. Putin has a lot of work ahead of him — from shoring up the ruble to clearing out the crime and nepotism that have swamped his nation’s fledgling capitalism — before the United States should commit to more aid.

But it is important for America to begin building relationships with Russia’s new leadership. Mr. Putin and Mr. Clinton want the same thing: a stable Russia that considers America, if not a friend, at least not an enemy. The best way to start down that path is with a handshake at the gates of the Kremlin.