BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The relationship between the United States and Russia, and that between the European Union (EU)and Russia have undergone ups and downs this year, while U.S.-EU ties have been strengthened in 2008 due to their common strategic interests.

    Although there is no fundamental change to the relations, new conflicts and compromises between the three powers no doubt will bring about significant impacts on the future international political jigsaw.

    US, RUSSIA WRESTLE BUT NOT BREAK TIES

    The year 2008 marks the last year of George W. Bush's presidency, while former Russian President Vladimir Putin smoothly transferred his position to Dmitry Medvedev this year.

    During the year, the United States and Russia reduced dialogue and deepened their confrontation, with Russia showing an increasingly uncompromising attitude.

    In August, after Georgian soldiers abruptly captured its breakaway region of South Ossetia, Russia immediately sent troops there to drive away the Georgian military and also to Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region.

    The conflict was not only a result of a Russia-Georgia feud on the issue, but a reflection of the wrestling between Russia and the United States behind the current Georgian government, an alystssay.

    In the larger world, Russia has also actively taken measures to exert its political and military influence.

    For example, in Latin America, which is close to the United States geographically, Russia has conducted a series of aggressive movements this year.

    Russia's strategic bombers flew to Venezuela to carry out military training, while Russian and Venezuelan fleets conducted joint exercises on the Caribbean Sea.

    Russian President Medvedev visited Peru, Brazil, Venezuela and Cuba, and signed a package of agreements with them on such issues as economy, military affairs, and energy.

    However, neither Russia nor the United States would like to seetheir bilateral ties utterly broken, as the connections are of great significance for both. The two countries have voiced their willingness to mend their relations.

    Just after Barack Obama was elected U.S. president in November, Medvedev said the Russia-U.S. relationship was an important factorin keeping the world stable, while Obama said the deployment of a U.S. missile shield in eastern Europe, which is vehemently opposed by Russia, needs to be reassessed.

    Ted Galen Carpenter, vice president of the U.S. think tank CatoInstitute, said the United States must reevaluate its policies toward Russia after the Cold War, adding that Russia's antagonism was a response to arrogant policies adopted by the United States and its allies.

    U.S. decision-makers must admit the fact that Russia has come back to the club of world powers, he said.

    US, EUROPE PROMOTE COOPERATION

    In contrast with U.S.-Russia ties, U.S.-Europe relations have warmed over the past year due to their common strategic interests.

    French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, after coming into office, have made efforts to revamp relations with the United States that were strained because of different stances on the Iraq war.

    France and Germany are engines for European integration, and have great influence within the EU.

    France has also held the rotating EU presidency in the second half of this year.

    The Untied States and Europe have exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear issue, Afghanistan, Kosovo, the Russia-Georgia rift and the ongoing global financial crisis. Bilateral ties have been improved impressively.

    However, the EU is attempting to play a more prominent role in this multipolar world instead of always staying under the shadow of the United States.

    France, after assuming the EU presidency, repeated that the EU should enjoy equal status with the United States in the international arena.

    In his congratulatory letter to Obama, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso expressed hope that the president-elect would transform current U.S.-Europe relations into a new and equal partnership.

    Although the 27-member EU has made much progress in its economic integration, EU members have difficulty speaking in a united and coordinated voice on many other major issues that concern their core national interests.

    This has made the EU fail to wield important influence in international political, military and security fields. The EU still stands in an inferior position in relations with the United States, and depends on U.S.-led NATO in security and defense affairs.

    EUROPE, RUSSIA COMPROMISE DESPITE DISPUTES

    Europe-Russia ties were especially affected and pushed toward a post-Cold War nadir by the Georgia-Russia conflict in August.

    But as good relations are in the interests of both parties, the EU and Russia have managed to overcome hostilities and steered their relationship in a more positive direction by resuming postponed negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).

    As differences over fundamental issues remain between Europe and Russia, bilateral relations are not likely to proceed smoothly, analysts believe.

    The EU said that business as usual was not possible against the backdrop of Moscow's recognition of Georgia's two breakaway regions and its refusal to return its troops to their pre-conflict positions.

    NATO's eastward expansion, together with the planned deployment of a U.S. missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic, has been a constant source of Russian complaints.

    The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, has proposed the launch of an "Eastern Partnership" with Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova and Armenia to help the former Soviet republics move closer to the EU and to safeguard energy security.

    Resuming negotiations with Russia is in keeping with EU's energy, economic and political interests, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU commissioner for external relations, said in October.

    The EU has a stake in the continued growth of the Russian economy, she told European lawmakers, describing the EU-Russia partnership as "one of the most challenging but one of the most important of our times."

    Russia, the EU's third most important trading partner, "is an important emerging market right on our doorstep that offers opportunities for EU businesses, notwithstanding the effects of the present financial crisis," she said.

    The EU, a major investor in Russia, accounts for 80 percent of its cumulative foreign investment, making Russia one of the largest holders of euro-denominated assets in the world.

    Engaging in negotiations for the new PCA with Russia is the best way "to pursue our own interests, and make sure our concerns are listened to," the commissioner said.

    "In all these areas, cooperation is not always easy, but we need to continue," she said.