Freedom House Urges Obama To Abandon Russian 'Reset' Policy

Freedom House has urged U.S. President Barack Obama (left) to "think twice" before traveling to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin before September's G20 summit.

Freedom House has urged the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama to reject key tenets of its "reset" policy with Russia.

In a new policy paper, Freedom House said the administration should "abandon talk of seeking 'win-win' cooperation, since [Russian President Vladimir] Putin views power relations in zero-sum terms."

It also said the administration should return to "linkage of bilateral issues."

Obama's first-term Russia policy sought cooperation with Russia in areas of mutual agreement while also acknowledging deep-seated differences, such as on human rights standards.

The U.S.-based pro-democracy group also advised Obama to "think twice" before traveling to Russia to meet Putin before September's G20 summit or for the summit itself.

It recommended that Washington withhold support for Russia's bid to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development if "Putin continues his crackdown at home."