Rousing the Russian bear
It was only a matter of time before the underlying tensions in US-Russian relations burst into the open. Developments at the G8 meeting and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks to his Greek counterpart were not a bolt from out of the blue. Washington has never failed to provoke Moscow, but the Yeltsin days are long gone. The USA wanted to bring the Russian bear to its knees, but Putin has resurrected it. In previous years, Putin tolerated provocation to avoid finding himself at loggerheads with Washington. US plans for an anti-missile shield were the last straw. Excuses that the project is meant to protect Europe against attack from Iran did not sound plausible to anyone. In his Munich speech, Putin announced that, from now on, Russia will react to such moves and the successful testing of its new ballistic missile backed that up. In truth, US-Russian ties have always been more complex than diplomats on both sides would have it. The confrontation between the two superpowers has been substituted by antagonism between the now sole superpower and a huge power that wants to flex its muscle according to its size. Washington’s lack of moderation has accelerated this process. Moscow is also counting on the fact that the common need to offset US power has tilted Beijing onto the same wavelength. Within that context, the EU is called upon to make a strategic choice. Europe needs Russian energy, while Russia needs European goods, technology and services. In other words, there is strong mutual interest. The Americans are pressuring the Europeans not to sign a strategic partnership with Russia, arguing that this will make them dependent on its energy, which, for that reason, would then extend to the political level. In truth, the USA is trying to drag the EU into a fresh East-West division. It’s a dual ambition: Washington could keep the EU under its wing while also keeping Russia at bay.
