US needs Russian support more than Russia needs US

The United States needs the support of Russia more than Russia needs American support, according to Sergei Rogov, Director of the Instute of the US and Canada at the Russian Academy of Sciences. At a press conference entitled 'US-Iraq: Ways Out of a Dead End', Rogov explained: 'The Bush Administration is interested in Vladimir Putin's support. The Russian President's support is necessary for the head of the White House and for the Security Council, and for the creation of an international coalition in support of US actions.'

Because America needs the political support of Russia, the US will have to make some concessions, believes Rogov. 'But is America really ready to pay for this support? Theoretically, it is possible,' stated the political scientist. For example, he explained, the US would need to succeed in having Russian troops deployed in Iraq, or share some of the Iraqi reconstruction contracts with Russia, or give Russian oil companies some oilfields in Iraq. 'This, however, is highly unlikely. After all, the deployment of a Russian contingent into Iraq is contradictory to Russia's national interests,' noted Rogov.