Posted on 05/25/2006 2:25:39 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia wants good relations with the United States but he objected vigorously to Vice President Dick Cheney's recent criticism of democratic backtracking by the Kremlin.
"We see how the United States defends its interests, we see what methods and means they use for this," Putin said at a news conference following a summit meeting of Russia and the European Union in his most direct criticism of Cheney's remarks.
In a speech earlier this month in Lithuania, Cheney accused the Kremlin of rolling back democracy and strong-arming its ex-Soviet neighbors.
"When we fight for our interests, we also look for the most acceptable methods to accomplish our national tasks, and I find it strange that this seems inexplicable to someone," Putin said, replying to a reporter's request for his reaction to the vice president's remarks.
Even before Cheney's speech, Russian-U.S. relations had been on a steady downward slide. Last month, Putin claimed the United States had put up artificial obstacles to slow Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization, and the Pentagon accused Moscow of giving intelligence on U.S. troop movements in Iraq to Saddam Hussein in 2003.
The crisis around Iran's nuclear program has seen the two countries, which proclaimed themselves "strategic partners" just a few years ago, firmly in opposing camps.
Putin said that despite the friction, the United States remains "one of our major partners."
But he suggested no nation had the right to interfere in Russia's relations with third countries.
"As far as the view of our relations with other countries, we will discuss our relations with them directly," Putin said icily.
The growing rift with Washington threatens to mar the summit of the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations in St. Petersburg in July.
Speaking of U.S. criticism of a hard-fought Russian-Ukrainian gas deal, which many Ukrainian politicians and the U.S. government have objected to as putting the two sides on unequal terms, Putin asked: "How can leaders of other states say it is bad for the Ukrainians?"
"I don't understand if this criticism is addressed to us or the Ukrainian leadership. But you should ask those who make these comments."
Putin and European Union leaders agreed their countries had common interests in easing their dispute over energy supplies and markets, but acknowledged differences.
"We are aware of our common interests," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said at the final press conference. "What we want is a relationship based on ... the principle of interdependence."
The energy disputes have hung over the relationship since January, when a brief disruption in Russian gas supplies to Western Europe amid a price dispute with Ukraine tarnished Russia's reputation as a reliable supplier and encouraged the EU to intensify a search for alternative supply routes.
"We are as interested as Russia to avoid further misunderstandings," said Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, whose country currently holds the EU presidency.
But Barroso said there were still "sensitivities" that needed to be addressed.
"This is not at all, I want to underline this on our side, a problem of lack of trust in Russia as a credible supplier, as Russia has always been," he said. "But there are some sensitivities, it is true."
He said the sensitivities included the way public opinion in the EU reacted to the problems between Russia and Ukraine earlier this year.
Putin tried to assure his EU partners that China was no substitute for Europe as a market for Russia's oil and gas although Russia was developing markets for its energy resources.
"China is not an alternative to Europe for energy supplies," Putin told a news conference following the Russia-EU summit.
The New Year's shutdown, which was followed by gas shortages amid a harsh winter, came as Russia declared energy security to be a top priority of its leadership this year of the G-8.
European fears of excessive energy reliance on Russia, which supplies a quarter of Europe's gas and is its second-biggest supplier of oil, increased further amid talk that Russia's state-controlled natural gas giant, Gazprom, was considering acquiring Britain's largest gas distributor and negotiating similar deals in other EU nations.
"spanalot's disparaging remarks about my wife, other poster's wives"
There is no secret that most Putin-philes here profess to be US vets, and that they live in the US, but they are very familiar with Russia because they have "Russian Wives".
The Russian Wives Club seldom posts anything except that which involves 1) the advancement of "understanding" of the Russian side of things, 2) the slandering of Ukrainian interests, 3) the slandering of Polish interests.
And in hour case, this is despite your professed "6 year" interview of Russian Viet Nam vets. Why have you refused to share your insights on this secret war waged against the US?
To the extent I have been critical of this, I plead Very ,Very Guilty - and with No Explanation; especially to anyone that would obfuscate the Kremlin's role in the Genocide of 100 million in the past century.
"There is no secret that most Putin-philes here profess to be US vets, and that they live in the US, but they are very familiar with Russia because they have "Russian Wives".
The Russian Wives Club seldom posts anything except that which involves 1) the advancement of "understanding" of the Russian side of things, 2) the slandering of Ukrainian interests, 3) the slandering of Polish interests.
And in hour case, this is despite your professed "6 year" interview of Russian Viet Nam vets. Why have you refused to share your insights on this secret war waged against the US?
To the extent I have been critical of this, I plead Very ,Very Guilty - and with No Explanation; especially to anyone that would obfuscate the Kremlin's role in the Genocide of 100 million in the past century."
I see you spinalot it to what you think is your advantage. First of all, and I've told you this before - my wife is an ethnic UKRAINIAN. You dolt. But since you prefer to judge people based on what color they are or what blood courses through their veins and since I post things that counter your Ukrainian nationalist revisionist history I suppose it's just easier for you to slander my wife, my daughter, etc., by calling them "evil" for having Russian blood - the very SAME blood that courses through your veins - as there is no real genetic difference btwn you Ukrainians and Russians.
And let's get something CRYSTAL CLEAR. I advance no country's interests other than the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. That's what you really get mad about. That I'm not forwarding Ukrainian nationalist propaganda and that I'm not giving the Poles a free ride on their criticism of Russia when they do the exact same things they yell about Russia doing (arms trade to US enemies, etc.). So, how about putting the United States of America's interests first - Comrade? Or does your "heart" and loyalty still remain in Western Ukraine?
Regarding the interviews of Soviet (Ukrainian/Russian/Belarusian/Turkmen/Latvian/Estonian,etc) Vietname War veterans. I've provided this information and links to my writings on the subject on various occasions. I know you've looked at it, because you unwittingly quoted something I wrote in that capacity in a post you made a few months back. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
"Regarding the interviews of Soviet (Ukrainian/Russian/Belarusian/Turkmen/Latvian/Estonian,etc) Vietname War veterans. I've provided this information and links to my writings on the subject on various occasions"
Seek help, you need it. I'm not a Pole or Ukrainian basher or a pro-Russian poster. That's something you cannot understand or will not understand because you live a life that is based on ethnic hatred. What I will do is point out the hypocrisy when posted by any proponent of nationalist politics when claiming they are "victims" of the said criminal Soviet regimes. If Poles or Ukrainians or Russians or Georgians or whomever fall into these categories they deserve to be outed. The history of that region has shown that inter-ethnic hatred has caused the deaths of millions. What you and your "friends" do on here is continue that Eastern European tradition of basing your hatred of someone based on where they were born. We've already fought one world war because of people like you. Over 400,000 Americans died because of people like you who thrive off of hate. What you are afraid of is the truth.
Regarding the Commission and your doubts of its existence. You obviously have some problems with fact and with reality. But once again - this will make the 4th time I have provided this information to you - so before you to to the links take your meds so you'll remember it this time. And remove the tinfoil hat from your head to - it may cause forgetfulness:
http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/sovietunion/jcsd.htm
http://www.usembassy.ru/embassy/section.php?record_id=pow_mia
Yeah for you're kind of turd way socialist soros supporting idicracy.
Oh, you're one of those who deny Ronald Reagan won the Cold War. Like all keyboard commandos you need to be careful and not get your fingers dirty typing while real men stand up for their country.
Which is it Gary? If you have a straw, you can't suck and blow at the same time.
-------
"Firstly, my wife is Ukrainian/Russian, and grew up in a Ukrainian only speaking home. She is fluent in Ukrainian."
Romanov,
Make up your mind - We're starting to wonder if you think you CAN suck and blow thru a straw at the same time.
Sigh - you'll never get it because you've never done anything to battle communism. Instead you supported it by paying homage to the Soviet Union by visiting them in the "hey day" of Communism. But now, you claim to be a "commie fighter." Laughable.
France is in NATO too - are you saying they deserve our complete support or do they do things that aren't so friendly to the US. Ukraine won't be in NATO any time soon. Their people don't want to be in NATO. Read the polls, talk to the Ukrainians - you'll see a different picture than your WEstern Ukrainian nationalists paint. Of course, what does one expect when Western Ukrainian nationalist have such a sordid past that continues to this day (like naming the streets of Lvov [Lviv] after Chechen terrorists). The Poles, btw, are a good NATO partner, BUT, they're not perfect - they sell arms to nations that we do not consider friendly and to countries we may have to send our troops into one day. This is the same charge you and others correctly levy at the Russians, but when the Poles or Ukrainians do it- SILENCE from you.
Furthermore, you caterwhaul about Soviet genocide (which you try to paint as a "Russian genocide" - which shows you're not serious about wanting justice) when Ukrainians had a hand in the Soviet genocide AND the Nazi genocide. You repeated refusal to condemn Ukrainian participation in said crimes also shows you're only about spinning history to suit your Ukrainian nationalist agenda and disrespects the thousands of Americans who died defeating the Nazis. Of course, that is you typical behavior - condemnation of American veterans and military men.
REgarding Soviet participation in the Vietnam War. I've provided you the links that will lead to those "stories" you allegedly seek. If you are incapable of navigating the online database at the Library of Congress that is dedicated to that mission that's YOUR problem. I'm not going to spend any extra time locating information for you that is publically available.
Spin on Comrade Spinalot. Tell us more about your KGB ties, uh, I mean "KGB interrogation." Fellow Traveler.
"REgarding Soviet participation in the Vietnam War. I've provided you the links that will lead to those "stories" you allegedly seek. If you are incapable of navigating the online database at the Library of Congress that is dedicated to that mission that's YOUR problem."
No Romanov, it is your problem. You are the one being perceived as defender of Russian aggression and I am trying to help YOU out.
You had an opportunity to substantiate your claim of being a vet that interviewed Russian Viet Vets for 6 years.
Now you tell us to search the Library of Congress for info on these interviews?
The only conclusion this allows us to make is that you have no first hand knowledge.
"You had an opportunity to substantiate your claim of being a vet that interviewed Russian Viet Vets for 6 years.
Now you tell us to search the Library of Congress for info on these interviews?
The only conclusion this allows us to make is that you have no first hand knowledge."
Are you really that ignorant? Firstly, I don't have to "justify" myself or hold myself up to the likes of you for "validation" of what I did in the service of my country. Secondly, I cannot provide you with first hand anecdotal information since I do not know who you are and for whom you work. With your admitted Soviet background, your loyalities are questionable. Thirdly, the easiest way for you to find out what I did is to check the links out I provide you on several occasions. I wrote or edited a great deal of what is on those pages. If that isn't satisfactory for you, I suggest you familiarize yourself with FOIA requests. If you're serious about learning how your Ukrainian and Russian brothers shot down our American servicement I suggest you seek this information like anyone else does. However, you and I both know you don't give a rat's patootie about anything unless it involved disparaging American veterans and furthering Ukrainian interests.
Lastly, you're not "trying to help me out" as I do not require any help. Were you a true blue loyal American instead of an Ukrainian nationalist out to further Ukrainian nationalism (to the detriment of American values and goals), you would understand the error of your ways.
"You will even find his picture on the web site he listed."
I saw no reference to any Air Force personnel in those photos.
"Secondly, I cannot provide you with first hand anecdotal information since I do not know who you are and for whom you work. "
You must be joking. Do you mean to tell us the reason you refuse to say anything about the 6 years of interviews of Russian Viet Vets is because it is classified?
By whom, the Kremlin!
Let me put in clearer terms. I WONT share any anecdotal information with you because you cannot even get your terminology right and refuse to acknowledge Ukrainian involvement in the shooting down of American airmen. Further more, I cannot release any information to anyone unless it has already been released. You are the seeker of this information - I have pointed you to the place where you can get it. But we both know you're not really interested an any information about this mission - you just think you have some sort of lame way of "proving" I didn't spend the last six years working on this mission. The sad thing is there are others on here who have actually been able to figure out my identify based on what links I provided. You can't even manage that. Lame.
"Further more, I cannot release any information to anyone unless it has already been released."
Fair enough - just release the info that has already been released. We're just trying to help you.
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