Oct. 8 (Bloomberg) -- A Barack Obama adviser said the U.S. should keep open negotiations with the Russian government on a missile-defense system for Europe and support Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization.

Michael McFaul, a Russia specialist at Stanford University who is advising the Democratic candidate, drew what he said was a contrast with the stance by Republican candidate John McCain.

``We don't believe in trying to isolate Russia,'' McFaul said in a phone interview from California yesterday. ``Those kind of actions we see as counterproductive in dealing with Russia.''

McFaul, who said he was giving his personal view and not the official policy of the Democratic presidential candidate's campaign, said it is in the U.S.'s interest for Russia to be in the WTO. McFaul also said that a Russian offer to host elements of a planned U.S. missile defense system at facilities in Russia and Azerbaijan ``should be explored.''

McCain foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, criticized McFaul's stance as ``seriously misinformed.''

``Senator McCain advocates a realistic policy that deals with Russia as it is, not the Russia that some hope exists,'' Scheunemann said.

McCain's Criticism

McCain has been sharply critical of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. He has called for the expulsion of Russia from the Group of Eight industrialized nations, and said in August that ``a modern Russia that acts at times like the old Soviet Union'' shouldn't have a place in the WTO either.

Since Russia occupied parts of U.S.-allied Georgia after a five-day war in August, President George W. Bush's administration has threatened to block Russia from entering the WTO, the Geneva- based body that sets global trade rules. The U.S. and Russia had concluded talks on the terms for Russia's entry in 2006, though Russia hasn't made progress on the conditions.

The U.S. and Russia also have had talks about the administration's plan to install an anti-missile shield in eastern Europe and possible cooperation in the system, intended to thwart a missile attack from Iran.

Obama, who joined McCain in condemning Russian actions in Georgia, has differed with his Republican rival over the U.S. plan for the missile-defense system. While Arizona Senator McCain supports the establishment of bases in Poland and the Czech Republic as protection from Iranian ballistic missiles, Obama said Bush was rushing to deploy unproven technology.

`Big Preconditions'

The Illinois senator has said he will support the missile- defense plan ``if it works and if it can be financially feasible,'' McFaul said. ``Those are two big preconditions and this particular project will have to meet that test as well.''

McFaul criticized the Bush administration for its ``unilateral'' decision to proceed with the missile-defense system over the objections of Russia, which has condemned the shield as a threat to its security.

``That, for sure, will be changed in terms of the process by which Senator Obama would pursue these things as president,'' said McFaul. He added that Russia has ```no veto power'' over the missile defense plans.

The U.S. and Russia haven't resolved their differences even as the administration has moved forward with its plan.

United Front

McFaul said that the U.S. should consult closely with its allies in western Europe to ensure a united front when dealing with Russia. The Bush administration hadn't done so over missile defense and the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, he said.

``We want to strengthen the coordination between the United States and our European allies before we take action,'' said McFaul.

Scheunemann said the missile defense decision was supported by NATO allies as well as the governments of Poland and the Czech Republic.

McFaul said an important part of Obama's policy toward Russia would involve rebuilding Georgia after its invasion by Russian troops and supporting Ukraine, another ex-Soviet state whose pro-western President Viktor Yushchenko is backed by the U.S. Obama favors NATO entry for both Georgia and Ukraine.

``Those are two countries that have undergone democratic transitions and they need shoring up,'' said McFaul.

Obama, in a debate yesterday with McCain, said Russia has ``engaged in evil behavior'' over Georgia. McCain said the government in Moscow has its ``sights'' on Ukraine and answered ``maybe'' when asked if Russia was an evil empire.

Still, the Republican candidate said, the U.S. ``can deal'' with Russia and dismissed the likelihood of a new Cold War.

McFaul denounced as ``irresponsible'' the failure of the Bush administration to pursue nuclear disarmament talks with Russia. Engaging Russia gives the U.S. ``leverage'' by making the countries stakeholders in the global order, McFaul said.

``As a general philosophy, we are better off in direct negotiations with them, and trying to do things of mutual interest, versus isolating, containing them,'' he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Henry Meyer in Moscow at hmeyer4@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 8, 2008 02:52 EDT