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We want Russia strong

Fri Jul 10 11:04AM

A stronger, more assertive Russia is generally viewed with horror by European diplomats. They need not be so aghast.

By Alex Stevenson

The fear of a resurgent Russia is at the forefront of the Commons' defence committee's report on London's relations with Moscow today. 'Russia: A New Confrontation?' is set against the context of "some commentators" suggesting "there is a risk of a new cold war emerging as a result of Russia's increasingly assertive foreign policy".

Those pundits have a point or two. Just look at the last year, which shows Moscow's enthusiastic embracing of both actions and words as foreign policy tools. Earlier this year saw brinkmanship from Moscow over its energy policy, as it cut supplies across much of Europe because of a dispute with Ukraine. And last August witnessed the outrageous military intervention into South Ossetia.

Georgia acted recklessly, it is accepted. But Russia's actions showed the limits of its respect to state sovereignty - and its preparedness to fly in the face of the international community.

Then there's the willingness to use the diplomatic tools at Russia's disposal. That was summed up, last October, by Vladimir Putin's refusal to attend talks with German chancellor Angela Merkel. It followed Russia's veto, earlier in 2008, against proposals to impose sanctions on Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe at the UN security council. That was a clear example where Russian interests, clearly not directly affected, did not play a part. Diplomats were shocked as a result.

We only have to go back to Moscow's refusal to extradite the man named as chief suspect in the Alexander Litvinenko murder case, Andrei Lugovoi, as an example of that stubbornness affecting Britain's interests. It's Russian diplomats' notorious and consistent refusal to play ball, when combined with their happy enthusiasm to take action on the ground when it matters, which sets Foreign Office officials on edge like fingernails on a blackboard.

Commentators can be forgiven for fearing a new cold war in this context. But they should not be alarmed.

MPs, assessing the situation in today's report, conclude that a gritted-teeth approach is just what the doctor ordered. They urge London to forget "abstract and misleading notions of shared values" and instead concentrate on the harsh "realities" of Russia's actions.

"However desirable cooperation with Russia may be, it should not come at the price of accepting the legitimacy of a Russian sphere of influence," it concludes.
The tone of the report is underpinned by fear. It wants to avoid Russia returning as a powerful, tantrum-prone, dangerous actor on the world stage.

As it happens, this is the right line for the Foreign Office to take. But not because of a dread about Russia resuming its old aggressive, assertive prominence. Russia's return to confidence should be welcomed.

It is in Britain's interest to have Russia strong. Not because we want it strong-arming its way around the former Soviet bloc nations, but because it gives us something real and meaningful to deal with.

Consider the situation after the break-up of the Soviet Union. Then the weakened new nation was full of power vacuums across its sectors, quickly filled by competing factions. Oligarchs emerged to build their own small empires. The Kremlin, after decades of supremacy, was weak. And British diplomats hated it. There was no point making complex agreements with this mess of a country because the odds of them actually becoming reality were slim.

The Kremlin's return to supremacy, carefully crafted by Putin and only coming to fruition since around 2005, has changed all that. It is the reason the now-prime minister remains so popular. Dmitry Medvedev, his replacement as president, has grown in stature and become the powerful figure Russians like in charge.

It is also the reason Foreign Office diplomats are secretly pleased by Russia's re-emergence. Moscow's natural position has always been a thorn in the side of the world order. But at least the outcomes hashed out by our diplomats on the ground there now have a better shot of being long-lasting and enduring.

There is still room for caution and reserve, of course. There is much about Russia's ambitions which act directly against London's interests. At least now, though, the Foreign Office's chances of communicating effectively with Moscow are maximised. The new, stronger Russia is not all bad for Britain.

Comments111 - 113 of 113

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For comment 109, You are right about the enslavement of blacks in America. But i must remind you that there is reall time for everything. Blacks in america were enslaved and discriminated against, but used the slightest opportunity they had to fight for it, and slowly the enslavement eased and freedom spread up to a stage whereby a black man is a president of the so called America. Do you think that blacks in America fought their freedom by engaging the white people of America in violent war? Dont you think that eventhough it took long befor they liberated theirselves,that it was because that it's only when a slave master allows the slave to say a word of deffence that he opens his mouth. My question to you is when is Russian and all the so called anti-America allow people from other race like blacks, move in their street with some day light bully and physica attack. How long do you think it would take for a Rassian citicen to have half of the freedom that a black American who was originally slave have at the moment.
If only the blacks in America had voted for Obama, he was not going to triumph over Maccain. So, if want to remind me that there is still racism in USA, i must assure you that you are right, but that is not exactly what we are talking about.What we are talking about is the degree of racism. Dont you think that there are a lot of middleeast that are in America and are not ready to go back to their countries, but you as a different race or religion go to their country, they will do anything possible to make life diffcult for you. You cant succeed. IF you realise that a Russian dont have the freedom a stranger in US have in there own country, then you will realise that the peace in this world is no more who fought WW1/WW2, but what any given country have to offer the world. Now go ahead an ask yourself, if Russia is automatically given the world power, what do they have to offer this world. Eventhough i am not American, i must remind you that the US is in delicate position in world level, and as such, we should remember that if any other country is in their position, the country must still be in war with one or two countries for one reason or the other. In this instance, you dont expect a country like Us to be perfect.
I am from Africa, and i must remind someone who was commenting that eventhough America is trying to inpact their democratic way in Africa, But hunger and poverty is still on rise, that African Leaders are so much complicated set of politician than you know. When you see a continent like Africa, you should also know that there is nothing you can do there without first of all working on the Government. If anyone can install an ideal or even 50% democray in the countries over there, then you can as well thank God, because you have gone so far. The first African countries that will start making a head are the ones that succeed in having democratic Government sooner. That is because all Africa countries need to prosper is just good Leaders. And so far as i know, African problems is not caused by America. So far we have everything but we own nothing.
In conclusion, i must say that if Russia have half of freedom in America,and a lesser lesser curruption, just like my own country, the whole world would will be heading to their. but for now, lets face the fact. Your country and mine are all @#$% to george America. That is because, so far we havent much to offer this world.
.....................STANIZMAN

From stablestaniz247 on Mon Jul 13 03:19PM
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Having lived in a shared house with several Russians in London for over 5 years I say i'll not be eating cornflakes with the likes of the s@#$%. Others may have not the valued experience i have in this respect and for the Aryans, well Eastern Bloc does have the intention of supremacy.
I would make sure these inbred @#$% sniffers have no reasonable luxury at the expense of a British man.

From col_kurtz_2004 on Mon Jul 13 03:52PM
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In reply to 112/113: Wtf are you talking about? Are you saying black people have no problem getting taxis these days? And what freedoms don't they have in Russia? You didn't answer that question. FYI corruption is at the core of every government, even your "ideal" American one. Russia is just like every other country in Europe. It's actually quite amazing how well it did since its collapse in 1991. And what do you mean by "the country must still be in war with one or two countries for one reason or the other"? Are we to allow any country to invade whoever they want as long as they tell lies about WMDs or "terrorists"? And the whole "Obama is the president now. So there is no racism in the states" is a bunch of $hit and you know it.

From arobein on Mon Jul 13 04:22PM
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