Русская версияNATO foreign ministers have to believe in the power of their words
because, after all, they have no other means of asserting
themselves against Russia.
Political sanctions have to be excluded because no one wants to cut
the only avenue of negotiations with Moscow.
Economic sanctions
would only aggravate the situation. Russia could retaliate by
reducing energy exports to Europe, which could upset the European
part of NATO. In any case, the giant state cannot be economically
isolated in the globalized economy.
Military force is clearly not an option. That is why all of the
NATO member states are very happy that Georgia is not yet a member
or formal candidate country. Foreign minister do not feel like
letting themselves be drawn into the confusion of the Caucasus
conflict. Thus only words remain.
Bildunterschrift:
Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:
Frank-Walter Steinmeier is completely right when he says that
NATO's role in the region is somewhat small. Do the NATO member
states have to let Russia walk all over them then? Couldn't they
throw the Russians out of the G8 group of highly industrialized
nations and not even let them into the World Trade Organization?
Russia seeks revenge
That would probably only cause Russia to turn further away from the
so-called Western camp. The Georgian conflict makes it painfully
clear that NATO, Europe and the USA only have a very limited
influence on a Russia that is becoming economically stronger and
increasingly acting imperialistically.
One could give in to the understandable desire seek a punishment
for Russia. But, in the end, what does anyone stand to gain from
another ice age? But on the other hand, the EU and NATO cannot
simply go back to normal when it comes to Russia. The Baltic
states, Poland, the Czech Republic, all those that suffered under
the former Soviet Empire expect more from the alliance.
It seems as though Russia is now looking to avenge all of the
scandals that, in its eyes, it has had to suffer in the last few
years: the expansion of NATO, war against Serbia, the attack on
Iraq that violated international law, separation of Kosovo from the
confederate Serbia, the missile defense shield.
The West must talk with Russia
From NATO's point of view, Russia's objections are nonsensical, but
at the moment Russia seems to have more leverage. The strategic
partnership with Russia that was once strived for is collapsing. US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has refused to tolerate Russia
drawing a line around its would-be sphere of influence. Now she has
to hurry with suggestion on how to keep Russia from doing so.
Because what happens if Russia decides, after Georgia, that maybe
they have to rush to the aid of Russian citizens in Moldovan
Transnistria or Ukrainian Crimea?
The American president and the European Union should push for an
immediate summit with the Russian president and his prime minister
in order to deal with the problem on the highest level. Only then
would Russia feel that it is being taken seriously, only then can
Russia and the USA resolve their quarrel over their plaything
Georgia. That reminds one of the awful scenarios of the Cold War,
when nuclear threats and arms races were dealt with at umpteen
summits between the two superpowers. But maybe it just does not
work any other way.
(Deutsche Welle)
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