Roger Cohen: Loose talk that lost Georgia

So the West should not overplay its hand. Breaking off arms reduction and missile defense talks with Russia is in nobody's interest. Nor are cheap shots like throwing Russia out of an (ever less relevant) G-8.

But nor can the West be cowed. It must shore up the Georgian president, Mikheil Saakashvili, with financial and other support. It must keep the trans-Caspian, Russia-circumventing energy corridor open. It must bolster Ukraine's independence. And, at the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in December, it should replace Bucharest blather with basics: a Membership Action Plan for Georgia and Ukraine.

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Source: International Herald Tribune

Europe must stand up to the Russian bully

However, Russian aggression against Ukraine that would be the deepest crisis for the international community. We are right to back the democratic government of Georgia but our strategic interests in that country are only slightly greater than our interests and support for the struggling people of Zimbabwe or Tibet.

A tough reaction by the United States and Europe over Georgia and South Ossetia is necessary not because changing the frontiers in the Caucasus will directly affect our security but because, if Russia sees the West as weak and indifferent, it will be emboldened to repeat its behaviour in Ukraine - and in Crimea, in particular.

Such a crisis would cause massive instability in Europe. Ukraine is a major country with a frontier with the EU. While it is true that parts of Ukraine - including Crimea - have a largely Russian-speaking population, that is far from unique in Europe.

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Source: Telegraph

UK warns over 'Russia aggression'

Mr Brown said: "When Russia has a grievance over an issue such as South Ossetia, it should act multilaterally by consent rather than unilaterally by force."

He went on: "My message to Russia is simple. If you want to be welcome at the top table of organisations such as the G8, OECD and WTO, you must accept that with rights come responsibilities.

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Source: BBC

The return of the Russia the west loves to loathe

What is most striking about Russia’s justifications is that they are demonstrably inconsistent with its own beliefs, except for the one that matters – the need to be feared. Nothing in the histories of the Russian or Soviet empires suggests that the principle of self-determination matters a jot. Nor has the Russian state ever cared much about the lives of its citizens. Post-Soviet Russia is no different, as the two Chechen wars, with their tens of thousands of dead, have demonstrated. Those, too, were Russian citizens. We can safely discount such hypocritical justifications for its actions. Indeed, I wonder how Russia sells its new-found attachment to the principle of self-determination to its Chinese ally.
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Source: Financial Times

The dark shadow of Russia's ambition

When Putin goes on, as he did this week, to state that the whole affair was contrived by the Bush administration, to advance Republican prospects in the coming U.S. election, we get a glimpse of how reckless he has become.

However, the open display of Soviet-style thuggery has had the opposite to the intended effect. European countries are rightly alarmed, and somewhat intimidated, in the expectation that Russia will now play power games with their oil and gas supplies. But the overall effect has been to remind Europe of its military dependence on the United States, and drive wavering parties into closer association with NATO.

Ukraine, the Baltic States, and the various ex-Communist states of Central Europe have spoken out sharply against Russia's aggression, and have accelerated the pace of their integration with the West, in every possible area of endeavour. The Poles and Czechs have finished buying into the U.S. anti-missile shield. Even Belarus, Russia's most obsequious ally in the past, has been shocked into extending diplomatic feelers westward.

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Source: Ottawa Citizen

Does Russia Care What The West Thinks?

Moscow's motives in entering into a military confrontation with Georgia are obviously far more complex than what Russian officials claim -- a simple, humanitarian desire to rescue South Ossetian civilians from Georgian aggression.
On one level, I don't think Putin cares too much -- he goes by his gut and he considers himself a tough guy. But I think he is going to find it a little more rough going than he thought.Russia, humiliated by a decade of post-Soviet chaos and frustrated by what it perceives as the West's patronizing attitude, has signaled it will no longer shy away from using force to restore its superpower status.

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Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Ukraine, Russia and European stability

Kudos to David Miliband, who has been spearheading the campaign to settle the Georgia issue, as well as prevent further escalation there as well as in Ukraine and Moldova. We need more courageous people such as Mr. Miliband to get on the band wagon. Here are some of his comments and link to full story below:

Ukraine is a leading example of the benefits that accrue when a country takes charge of its own destiny, and seeks alliances with other countries.

Its choices should not be seen as a threat to Russia or an act of hostility. Equally its independence does demand a new relationship with Russia – a partnership of equals, not the relationship of master and servant.

It is not an act of hostility towards Russia for Europe to support Ukraine, but a positive move towards lasting peace.

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Source: Guardian

Rewards are easy, punishment is hard

Whatever the EU decides on Monday, the most important pressure on Russia may come from China. For years it has joined Russia in defending the notion of territorial integrity, saying that sovereign borders were inviolable. Now it sees Moscow jettison this principle to both countries’ potential cost. Russia’s sour myopia may have gained it two tiny scraps of land but lost it its main ally, and perhaps, in the future, some of its own troubled provinces.
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Source: Times On-line

Russia's propaganda warfare

Even quiet Sweeden has come on board. Sweden's normally soft-spoken Foreign Minister Carl Bildt retorted that Russia's resort to that argument echoed that of Hitler in annexing pre-World War Two Czechoslovakia.

A way out for Russia lies in the precise pledge made by Mr Medvedev when he became president of Russia only three months ago - that he would strive to make Russia a nation that truly respects the rule of law and international norms.

Otherwise Russia could be undone by its own myths, and be isolated in the new Cold War that its leaders still say they do not seek.

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Putin accuses U.S. of orchestrating Georgian war

Now this Lilyput Putin has really gone off the deep end. Russian Prime Minister Lilyput Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of orchestrating the conflict in Georgia to benefit one of its presidential election candidates.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino blasted Putin's statements, saying they were "patently false."

"To suggest that the United States orchestrated this on behalf of a political candidate just sounds not rational," she said.

On Wednesday a U.S. ship carrying aid docked in Georgia, while Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband traveled to the Ukraine, which is worried about Russia's intentions in the region, to offer the UK's support.

Miliband equated Moscow's offensive in Georgia with the Soviet tanks that invaded Czechoslovakia to crush the Prague Spring democratic reforms in 1968, and demanded Russia "change course," AP reported.

Living in a world of their own, they (Russia), still think of themselves as a great empire. But, sorry to say, NOT / NYET, wake up and smell the coffee!!! I recommend to send in the doctors to examine this loony tune (Putin).

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Source: CNN

Beginning of the end for Putinism

Russia's invasion of Georgia was a sign of weakness rather than strength. My guess is it will mark the beginning of the end for Putinism, just as the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 sounded the death knell of communism. Something is going seriously wrong in Putinland. The Russian economy chips in barely 2.5 per cent to the total global gross domestic product. Oil revenues are being earmarked for modernisation, but the investment is likely to be mismanaged and trickle away. Last week I was in Sebastopol to witness the pride of the Russian Black Sea fleet, which has just seen action in Georgia. Expecting a superpower force, I saw nothing but rust-bucket vessels. Oil cash may be going to the armed forces of the "resurgent" Russia, but most of it is spent on pensions. China's investment in R&D now accounts for 1.42 per cent of its GDP. Russia, well ahead of China a decade ago, barely invests 1 per cent. It is a country in decline.

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Source: New Stateman

'Russia Wants to Change the Map of Europe by Violence'

And the German's too have come out strongly against the Imperialist Russian goons.

German commentators on Thursday write that now is the time for a stronger and more coherent response from Europe.

The Financial Times Deutschland writes:

"Any doubt as to Russia's goals in Georgia has vanished into thin air. By recognizing the Georgian territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, against international law, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has made Moscow's intention clear: The Russian government wants to change the map of Europe by violence."

"This war never had much to do with South Ossetia, much less with Georgia. Moscow wants to use this invasion -- which it has prepared for years -- to rebuild its imperium, to expand its control over Europe's energy reserves, and to punish anyone who believes that democracy should bloom along Russia's borders. For Europe this is reason enough to worry."

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Source: Spiegel On-line

Shevardnadze: Russia will be sorry

Even your previous mouthpiece Mr Shevardnadze thinks you are bunch of mumbling stumbling fools.

According to Mr Shevardnadze, he feels the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev badly thought out. After all Russia has got its own breakaway republics.

"If you recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia, then you cannot blame a republic like Chechnya for wanting the same. Or Dagestan. Or Tatarstan. They also can be recognized if Abkhazia can be."

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Source: Radio Netherlands Worldwide

China rebuffs Russia's moves in Georgia

Your own communist compatriots are realizing what stupid idiots Russia is, while refusing to support their communist allies. Now isn't this an embarrassing moment Lilyput Putin for you and your cronies?

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang was quoted by state news agency Xinhua as saying "the situation in the region ... should be resolved in dialogue."

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Source: MSNBC

Russia faces diplomatic isolation on Georgia

Russia faced diplomatic isolation over its military action against Georgia on Thursday, with its Asian allies failing to offer support and France saying EU leaders were considering imposing sanctions.

Moscow accused the West of heightening tension by a naval build-up in the Black Sea, and said talk of punishing Russia for recognising the independence of two breakaway Georgian regions was the product of a "sick" and "confused" imagination.

The Group of Seven rich nations condemned Moscow's "continued occupation of Georgia" and a group of Asian allies led by China, meeting at a regional summit, failed to follow Russia's lead on independence for two breakaway regions of Georgia.

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Source: International Herald Tribune

EU threatens sanctions against Russia

"We ... condemn the action of our fellow G8 member. Russia's recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and is contrary to UN security council resolutions supported by Russia."

In his interview, Miliband rejected the notion that his visit to Ukraine had been provocative. He said he went there because it was important to say to a friendly country that "we support their democratic choices". The foreign secretary reiterated Britain's support for Ukraine's wish to be in Nato and rebuked Russia for treating its neighbours as if they were either "enemies or vassals".

Incredible actions being taken by UK and the other European nations. Time to isolate Russia and let it choke on its own fecus.

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Source: Gaurdian

The West pledges its support for Ukraine - up to a point

Mr Miliband offered strong words of support during his talks in Kiev, but did not stray beyond EU and Nato policy of offering Ukraine eventual membership of both organisations.

"My visit is designed to send a simple message," he told an audience of students and diplomats gathered at Kiev's oldest university. "We have not forgotten our commitments to you. Nor shall we do so." He went on: "The Russian President [Dimitri Medvedev] says he is not afraid of a new Cold War. We don't want one. He has a big responsibility not to start one."

Let us hope?

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Source: The Independent

West tells Russia to keep out of Ukraine

Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine’s pro-west president, highlighted the potential for conflict by questioning the agreement under which Russia uses the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol, in Crimea, for its Black Sea fleet. He said Russia’s actions were “a threat to everyone, not just for one country”.

His remarks were echoed by Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgian president. In Thursday’s Financial Times, Mr ­Saakashvili writes: “This story is no longer about my small country, but the west’s ability to stand its ground to defend a principled approach to international security.”

Meanwhile, the US avoided a potential clash with Russia by diverting a navy ship carrying aid to the Georgian-controlled Batumi instead of the Moscow-controlled Georgian port of Poti.

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Source: The Financial Times

Russia's Delusion

Not only is there great press coming out of the UK, but many great articles being published in US press also, here is a sample:

IN TIME WITH Russia's unilateral recognition of the independence of the two Georgian provinces it invaded this month, President Dmitry Medvedev issued a statement, penned an op-ed and granted an unusual flurry of interviews. His intent was to justify Moscow's latest provocation of the West, which has been united in condemnation -- as was demonstrated yesterday by a statement by the Group of Seven industrial nations. Instead Mr. Medvedev merely revealed the dangerously arrogant and reckless mood that seems to have overtaken the Kremlin in recent weeks.

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Source: Washington Post

Standing up to the Russian bully

The invasion of Georgia is the first significant step towards restoring part of the old hegemony. Disagreement over the Sevastopol base could provide the pretext for the next; thus Mr Miliband's visit to Kiev yesterday.

His presence in the Ukrainian capital was symbolically important and his analysis of the situation forthright. When it came to sanctions, however, he had little to suggest beyond lessening energy dependency on Russia.

Once again, let us rehearse the minimal steps the West should take to counter Kremlin bullying: expulsion from the G8; freezing consultation within the EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the Nato-Russia Council; an invitation to Georgia and Ukraine by the alliance to join its Membership Action Plan; and the blocking of Russia's WTO membership.

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Source: The Telegraph