Newly declassified files show former U.S. President Bill Clinton asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for help fighting terrorism. Their first summit took place on June 4, 2000. Clinton proposed a joint effort to find Usama bin Laden.
The National Security Archive, a research institute, released the documents. It won the records in a Freedom of Information lawsuit. According to the transcript, Clinton asked Putin about working together against terrorism. He specifically named bin Laden. Clinton then suggested a “coordinated strategy” between Washington and Moscow.
A ‘Common Front’ Against Terror
At the time, Putin was a newly elected president. Russia was facing an Islamist insurgency in its North Caucasus region. Putin agreed that a “common front” was needed. He called international terrorism a “Terrorist International.” The two leaders also discussed Russia possibly joining NATO. Clinton admitted that many in Moscow saw NATO’s expansion as a “problem.”
After the September 11, 2001, attacks, Washington and Moscow started to cooperate closely. They created several joint task forces against radical Islamists.
A Troubled Partnership
Over time, the relationship soured. Russia became more cautious as the U.S. began unilateral military actions. Moscow condemned the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Russia saw it as a violation of international law. The relationship got worse after the Ukraine conflict started in 2022.
However, the current Trump administration is discussing ways to improve relations. In recent talks, President Trump and President Putin have discussed potential cooperation in energy and the economy.
