Michael McFaul, who serves as Sen. Barack Obama’s main Russia policy adviser, is quoted by Bloomberg tonight talking about his positions on engagement with Moscow, WTO ascension, and the missile shield issue.

“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.”