Of course, talking to Russia does not and should not mean compromising on fundamental U.S. and European interests and values. On the other hand, however, it won’t succeed without compromise on something. As Senator Rand Paul said recently, “diplomacy is similar to a market transaction…exchange occurs when each party believes that they have gotten the better of the bargain.” Diplomacy isn’t diplomacy if there isn’t something on the table for each side. Recognizing this truth and acting on it is not rewarding Moscow’s troublesome conduct, it is protecting our national interests. Taking into account that the costs of failing to address Russia’s role in Europe are only increasing over time, now would be a good time to start.

Paul J. Saunders is executive director of The Center for the National Interest and associate publisher of The National Interest. He served in the State Department from 2003 to 2005.