Posted on 06/04/2012 11:11:15 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
The Russia-EU summit that takes places today (June 4) in Strelna outside St. Petersburg was pre-scheduled as a routine event without any significant predicted achievements. But President Vladimir Putin did not want to start his new term at the helm of Russias foreign policy in such a boring way (Kommersant, June 2). In order to add more symbolism and intrigue, he paid his first official foreign visit to Belarus last Thursday and then proceeded with two blitz-visits to Germany and France (RIA Novosti, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, June 1). This activity was supposed to compensate for his decision not to attend the G8 summit at Camp-David two weeks ago and for Russias absence from the NATO summit in Chicago. It also marked the tenth anniversary of Putins visits to Berlin and Paris that formed the triangle of old Europe, which took a firm negative stance against the US intervention in Iraq (Gazeta.ru, May 31). No lasting rapprochement came out of that moment of unity, but for Putin it remains one of his cherished triumphs.
The visit to Minsk served to demonstrate more than just that the Russian-Belarusian integration project remains on track despite protracted quarrels and less than ideal personal chemistry (Kommersant, June 1). Putin brought some fresh aid to the struggling neighbor despite Belaruss broken promises of letting Russian companies partake in its privatization program. Additionally, the Russian president effortlessly established that Belarus remains a legitimate member of the European family of nations despite the objects being raised in the West against the authoritarian habits of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka (Moskovskie Novosti, June 1). This cordiality sent a signal to Ukraine that a compromise on gas prices is possible and that its political price would not be that heavy, particularly since the EU pays no attention whatsoever to Kievs desperate pleas to receive assistance (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, June 1).
Putins intentions in France and Germany were far more serious than just getting acquainted with President Francois Hollande and re-introducing himself to the far-from-smitten Chancellor Angela Merkel. His overwhelming concern is about Gazproms retreat in the European market, where the volume of its gas deliveries contracted by as much as 20 percent in the first four months of 2012, compared with the same period a year ago (RBC Daily, May 30). Putin cannot grasp the paradox of the arrival of the golden age of gas that has turned energy export from a major political asset into a bad headache, thanks first of all to the shale gas revolution in the United States (Gazeta.ru, May 25). As the oil price goes south, Russias stock market cannot find a bottom. This denies Putin the advantage of a solid economic base in his attempts to exploit opportunities emerging out of the divisive euro-zone crisis (Newsru.com, May 30). Seeking to camouflage this weakness, Putin plays the few cards he presumes are his trumps to maximum effect, including Russias special position on the civil war in Syria.
In fact, Putin tries to impress upon the introverted Europeans that he has no sympathy for the Assad regime and that his real disagreements on the Syrian dossier are with intervention-bent Washington (Kommersant FM, May 30). This might appear to depart too far from the real conflict of views on Syria, but it fits perfectly into Putins recurrent ambition of repelling US imperialism. Another manifestation of the same fixation is the aggressive official demarche against US Ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul who keeps advocating a rationale for sustaining the reset (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, May 30). His point about the bribes that in the pre-reset years the US offered and Russia paid to former Kyrgyzstani President Kurmanbek Bakiyev for respectively keeping open or closing down the Manas airbase might appear innocent. But McFauls remarks point to the heart of Putins policy of manipulating the kept dictators in the former Soviet states. The visit to Belarus is actually a continuation of this same course (Ezhednevny Zhurnal, May 30). McFaul explains that he sought to illustrate precisely how much we have overcome by abandoning these outmoded ways of diplomacy from previous eras, but Putin is stuck in the era of rivalries and anti-Americanism, so the Foreign Ministry is fuming about McFauls unprofessionalism (see EDM, May 31).
This undiplomatic row marks another weakness of Putins retrograde foreign policy his control over the key levers is far from what it used to be. Energy exports, once used toward political ends, are now an arena of fierce squabbles among entrenched clans. Perhaps more importantly, the domestic stability that was Putins major source of strength has unraveled to such a degree that he had to skip the vanity fair of the May G8 summit (Novaya Gazeta, May 14). McFaul is very careful not to express any opinions on or build ties to the white opposition. But the Kremlin knows that McFauls appointment to Moscow constitutes proof of the profound distaste in Washington to the pseudo-democratic and incurably corrupt Putinism. That is why every high-level bureaucrat is so worried about the Magnitsky list that bans dozens of them from travelling to the US. In the near future, this sanction list could be expanded to hundreds of names and dozens of countries, effectively cutting off the whole of Putins class from its treasure chests and safe havens abroad (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, May 31; Kommersant FM, May 28).
One remarkable feature of the divided and disorganized anti-Putin opposition in Russia is that it refuses to get angry at the ugly attempts to ban its activities and frighten the activists and remains cheerful and optimistic. Putins henchmen are deeply disturbed about this attitude. Every street protest and every devaluation of the ruble sharpens the question: How much time do we have? The only possible answer is Much less than you think. A larger question is about whether this rigid system of power is capable of giving way peacefully to a more democratic, responsible and efficient political order; and Putin appears firmly set on supplying a negative answer. Central as he is to the decaying of Putinism, fortunately his opinion is not the only one that matters.
"In a private conversation about the planned U.S.-led NATO missile defense system in Europe, President Barack Obama asked outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for space on the issue.
This is my last election, Obama told Medvedev. After my election I have more flexibility.
I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir, Medvedev said, referring to incoming President Vladimir Putin."
http://fox8.com/2012/03/26/open-mic-catches-obama-asking-medvedev-for-space-on-missile-defense/
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Obama was talking with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev when neither of them realized that their conversation was being picked up by microphones. Here is what they said:
Obama: On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved, but its important for him to give me space.
Medvedev: Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you ...
Obama: This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.
Medvedev: I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.
This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility. That statement tells us much about the presidents mindset.
The specific mention of missile defense is worrisome enough. Mr. Obama has retreated from the missile defense plan that was negotiated with European allies during the George W. Bush administration. Apparently, he is signaling Moscow that he intends to retreat further. The clear implication from the presidents comments is that he cannot tell the American people before the election what he plans to do after the election.
In addition, there is the phrase on all these issues, implying more is at stake than just missile defense.
Article: Obama plans double cross on missile defense
When it comes to keeping America safe, we shouldnt be too flexible:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/29/obama-plans-double-cross-on-missile-defense/print/
Russia's Medvedev hails "comrade" Obama
Associated Foreign Press (AFP) ^ | April 2, 2009 | Anna Smolchenko
"Russia's Dmitry Medvedev hailed Barack Obama as "my new comrade" Thursday after their first face-to-face talks"
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gEo4B1heuBvO6KK7EiBHKigO1UrA
April 1, 2009:
"Obama, Medvedev pledge new era of relations":
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/419496_88/1/.html
Russia has revealed details of its ambitious plan to upgrade its army over the next ten years, planning to spend US$650 billion on the project.
The unveiled large-scale plans of the Russian defense ministry propose the spending of vast sums of money up to 2020.
First and foremost, Russian defense will focus on the development of strategic nuclear weapons, construction of over 100 military vessels for Russian Navy, including construction of four originally French-made Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, and the introduction into the Air Force of over 1,000 helicopters and 600 military planes, including fifth generation PAK-FA fighter.
Most of the military hardware will be equipped with next-generation weaponry.
http://rt.com/news/military-budget-russia-2020/
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China and Russia launched joint naval exercises Sunday in the Yellow Sea between the east coast of mainland China and the Korean peninsula.
Sixteen Chinese surface vessels and two submarines as well as four Russian warships will take part in the six days of drills. ...
China and Russia have conducted four bilateral and multilateral military exercises since 2005.
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/04/22/china-and-russia-launch-military-exercises/
He needed to check with the Bush's and Stormin Norman before he talks.
Obama’s “reset” on the relationship with Russia has been a sterling success! /sarc
But But But Bush looked into his eyes and saw his soul
Patsy Bush and his Father still haven’t learned
It certainly has. From his treasonous standpoint.
As lacking as Bush was in some areas, I don't think he seriously meant that. I think he was just trying to put Putin on the spot --make him live up to the 'trustworthiness'.
The jug eared communist will cave 100% if he gets back in. He loves making sure America and American allies (like Poland and Georgia) get screwed by Russia
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