Russia ready to break off relations with NATO-Medvedev

Russia ready to break off relations with NATO-Medvedev

www.russiatoday.com

Dmitry Rogozin briefed Medvedev on NATO's attitude towards the current situation in South Ossetia. In his view they're applying a double standard as they're blaming Russia, although Georgia began the conflict.

(visit the link for the full news article)

" When we're being surrounded by military bases along our borders, and when more and more countries are being dragged into NATO, we certainly don't like it," president Medvedev is quoted. We are starting to instigate the Russian Bear with the latest Poland missile defence and Ukrain on the waiting list.

www.russiatoday.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Russia's relations with NATO were a joke to begin with. How can Russia expect to be on friendly terms with an outdated military alliance which despite the end of the Cold War is still focused on limiting Russia's every move and creating a buffer zone around it. Russia and NATO were moving towards this severing of relations for many years now.


The reason for NATO's own existance is questionable. Back during the Cold War it was a defensive-oriented alliance. Now clearly the defensive factor is overshadowed by NATO's bigger goals. Even before Putin came to power NATO was encrouching against Russia - and in the 90's no one could seriously consider Russia a threat. Yet NATO still treated Russia with hostility, as far as its strategy and tactics were concerned.

In fact, NATO's actions are partly the reason for increased "aggressiveness" of Kremlin. NATO wanted a game, and now it has a game - with only itself to blame.



Those who wish to blame this severing of ties on Russia only see what is happening in Georgia today - but are completely blind as to what NATO has been doing in Eastern Europe for the last decade. Russia has many reasons to be pissed off at NATO. NATO attacked Russia's ally Serbia. After US-backed coups in Ukraine and Georgia NATO began eyeing the two nations - for a reason that has nothing to do with defense. NATO's tactics with the ABM systems are not defensive either - they are meant to partially neutralize Russia's nuclear capabilities, and in doing so improve the chances for U.S. in case of a preemptive strike.



I would say that it is not just Russia that should be concerned with NATO. Europe itself should be deeply concerned with NATO's aggressive tactics. If another Cold War or a neo-Cold War starts in the future NATO will be to blame. Russia's moves are mostly reactionary. Why aren't European countries questioning NATO? Is everyone really so utterly brain-washed that they are unable to see wrong actions on the part of their own military alliance?

NATO and its ABM project is the reason why Russia will be forced to retarget part of its nuclear arsenal at Europe, including Poland. NATO is the reason why Russia is considering installing powerful radar installation and 400-km radius SAM S-400 systems in Kalinigrad - radius which covers most of Poland and the Baltics. NATO is the reason why Russia is weighing the decision to supply newest SAM systems to Syria and Iran.

reply to post by maloy


Good post, Maloy.

So, after a unanimous vote in the Russian parliament to recognize Abkhazian and South Ossetian independence, the final decision now lies with President Medvedev; Do you think he'll give the go-ahead and make it official, Maloy — despite the increasing pressure from the West not to do so?

Edit: It's OK, I got your opinion from over on the super-thread.

Looks like it's going to happen, then. Kosovo was a very dangerous precedent indeed.

[edit on 25-8-2008 by chips]

Yeah it is looking more and more likely that Medvedev will recognize them. The West's suggestions on withholding recognition mean absolutely nothing to Russia at this point. If anything I think Bush's plea will only make Medvedev more likely to go through with this.

It will be a real surprise if he doesn't - he will be going against the majority of his own party. Putin hasn't expressed his opinion yet, but I have a feeling that it is along the same lines as of the Russian Parliament.


Before the war Russia was interested in withholding the recognition for the two breakaway regions - because the ongoing separatist struggle somewhat prevented Georgia from entering NATO. Georgia was on a leash - if you will. Now it looks like Georgia will enter NATO with or without S Ossetia and Abkhazia as part of its territory. So Russia might as well declare the republics independent.


And again you can see how NATO plays a role here. The closer Georgia is to entering NATO, the more the probability of Russia recognizing S Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence approaches one.


But don't expect Medvedev to make an immediate recognition. It would probably take weeks if not more. There are still many issues to work out. The ceasefire is not final, and only God knows what Saakashvili will decide to do - weakened as he might be. With S Ossetia and Abkhazia independent suddenly Russian troops are inside Georgia without any excuse. This could lead to another confrontation. If Russia recognizes their independence the Russian troops should first finish securing the area, and should withdraw from undisputed Georgian territory which they still occupy thanks to the buffer zone.

[edit on 25-8-2008 by maloy]

Kosovo and Georgia is proof of what a pathetic failure the Bush (and pretty much the neoconservative) U.S. foreign policy has been. A foreign policy based on abstract principles and influenced by business interests has created a situation where the U.S. now has to deal with a regional power that can do a whole lot of damage when it comes to the use of force. And remember, force was apparently the realm of which the U.S. had no contender.

All of a sudden, the U.S. is faced with a situation where force cannot be utilized, because if they do, they risk a war they cannot afford and where the price of victory will offset all the benefits of victory.

Good let Medevev/Putin recognize them. That's a great way to start a good old fashioned proxy war.

I don't think countries/peoples really scared/petrified of the Russian Federation's tyranny are 'being dragged into NATO'.

I miss Gorbachav.

Originally posted by damagemouse
Good let Medevev/Putin recognize them. That's a great way to start a good old fashioned proxy war.

Proxy war? So you are saying U.S. is willing to subject their ally Georgia and its people to a proxy war, because U.S. is looking for a reason to face off with Russia?

Sorry to break it to you - but proxy war is not happening. A proxy stand-off yes, but no war. Georgian military and infrastructure is decimated, and Saakashvili has been on a verge of being ousted by the opposition party only days ago. The Georgian people and Saaka-puppet's oppostion will not allow hostilities to resume.

If U.S. wants to start a proxy war in Georgia, Russia will be only too happy to reply with a proxy war in Iraq and Afghanistan. You think you have it tough now - wait untill those insurgents and the Taliban are backed by Kremlin. U.S. knows this eye-for-eye strategy well enough (having perfected it themselves), and will not risk a proxy war with Russia at this point - or else it can kiss the War on Terror goodbye.

Originally posted by damagemouse
I don't think countries/peoples really scared/petrified of the Russian Federation's tyranny are 'being dragged into NATO'.

The people aren't. The local politicians on the other hand are fed very well for being nice puppets. Look how nice and strong Mr. Saakashvili turned out to be - even if it's all a farce and he runs crying to U.S. should any problem arise.

Originally posted by damagemouse
I miss Gorbachav.

Funny. Gorbachev commented a week ago that U.S. and NATO are to blame for the war in Georgia, and that Russia is doing the right thing. I am sure Gorbachev and Russia miss the pre-Bush era as well.