Russian-American perceptions of each other have been consistently statistically negative and the reasons for this are complex and diverse.

A recent survey by the Levada Center showed a distinct trend in Russian-American perceptions of each country’s policies. In this study, a striking 80 percent of the Russian public thinks that the policies of the United States have had a negative influence on the world, while a just as striking 53 percent of Americans said that of Russian policy. These perceptions, however, are not all grounded in current reality. Negative sentiments leftover from the Cold War are major contributing factors in the creation of these mutual negative images.

The negative opinions of the public in the United States are largely concerned with what happened during the Cold War, whereas the Russian public is concerned with the United States’ policy-making at present. Additional strain from the Bush administration made present relations with Russia more difficult. In his video blog, President Dmitry Medvedev said that the Bush administration’s bilateral policies had caused Russian-American relations to deteriorate.

A common assumption among the Russian public is that the Russian government would like to see a more multipolar world (one with multiple, equal world leaders) and is concerned that American policy towards other countries is too unipolar, with the United States playing the dominant role in constructing international policies. The United States has supported post-soviet countries, separating them from Russia and emphasizing its own pro-Western policies in those territories (i.e. Georgia and the Ukraine).

President Barak Obama repeatedly promised to make efforts towards a better relationship with Russia, which would mean a more multipolar world. However, his recent visit to Moscow was not as productive as expected. During the meeting, President Obama suggested changes in Russian policies with an emphasis on the reduction of Russia’s nuclear armaments. Russians could interpret this directive from Obama as disempowering to the country that should be seen as an equal partner with the United States. President Medvedev will be visiting the United States as a response to Obama’s visit to Moscow.

Despite the continuing negative perceptions, these presidential visits illustrate an attempt at “resetting” relations between the two countries. Nevertheless, the future is uncertain due to differing beliefs on how those relations should develop.

One example of how the two countries are working together to develop a better relationship occurred recently in relation to weapon defense systems. The United States had an agreement with Poland and the Czech Republic to put an American weapon defense system on its territories. However, the United States also needed Russia’s help in convincing Iran to cease its nuclear programs, and this system was seen as a threat to the Russian military because it was positioned so closely to the border of Russia. Consequently, the American government recently decided not to go through with this agreement at present, perhaps in order to gain Russia’s support regarding Iran.

It is difficult to predict the temperature of future relations between Russia and the United States, especially considering that the countries have no past standard for successful, positive relations. Russia and the United States also seem to have different views of what it means to have successful relations. But, it is clear that efforts are being made by the governments of both countries to establish a new relationship and change our present perceptions of each other.