Oct. 7 (Bloomberg) -- A Barack Obama adviser said the U.S. should support Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization and keep open negotiations with the Russian government on a missile-defense system for Europe.

``Obviously, in contrast to Senator McCain, we don't believe in trying to isolate Russia,'' the adviser, Michael McFaul, a Russia expert at Stanford University, said in a phone interview today from California. ``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. interest for Russia to be in the WTO. He also said that a Russian offer to host elements of a planned U.S. missile defense at facilities in Russia and Azerbaijan ``should be explored.''

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 condiditons. The U.S. and Russia also have had talks about the administration's plan to install a missile defense in Poland and the Czech Republic and offered to cooperate in the system, intended to thwart a missile attack from Iran.

McCain's Stance

Republican candidate John McCain has been sharply critical of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Even before Russia's incursion into parts of Georgia, he called for expelling Russia from the Group of Eight industrial nations. He said in August that ``a modern Russia that acts at times like the old Soviet Union'' shouldn't have a place in the WTO as well.

Obama, who joined McCain in condemning Russian actions in Georgia, has differed with his Republican rival over the U.S. plan for a missile-defense system in Eastern Europe. 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.

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.''

Russian Objections

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.

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

``That, for sure, will be changed in terms of the process by which Senator Obama would pursue these things as president,'' said McFaul.

The Obama adviser also 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, he 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,'' said McFaul.

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

Last Updated: October 7, 2008 16:37 EDT