Moscow has also supported stronger United Nations sanctions against Iran and has cancelled the delivery of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Tehran. In addition, the Russian government did not oppose a no-fly zone over Libya.

But Stent says the two sides still disagree on U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Europe.

“We have explained to them, our government, many, many times, this system has to do with concerns about the Iranians acquiring nuclear weapons, about the North Koreans, about countries that could threaten us all," she said. "It’s not aimed at Russia.”

Next March, Russian citizens go to the polls to elect a new president to succeed Dmitry Medvedev. The odds-on favorite to win is former president and current prime minister, Vladimir Putin.

Many experts are wondering whether a Putin presidency will be different from a Medvedev administration.

“No, I don’t think so, because what has been clear is that Putin was the decisive power, all the way through. So I don’t think, I don’t think it will change much,” Brent Scowcroft, former national security adviser stated.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Moscow Thomas Pickering says Russia is a country that demands attention - whoever runs it.

“I think there are things that we don’t like about Russia - there will always be. There are things that Russia doesn’t like about us. But there are a number of things that we have in common," he said. "Including the necessity for coexistence.”