Security policy

The hour of the hawk

The presence of the Russian Prime Minister has the hopes of a swift end to the air strikes in Syria dampened. From the other side came clear words. Matthias von Hein reported from Munich.

The second day of the Munich security conference had the positions not be further removed. Those who had hoped, by the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev made a clear commitment to a quick end to the bombing raids in Syria to hear, was disappointed. Russia Premier DISCLAIMED Russian attacks on the civilian population. And he saw Russia and the West already in a new Cold war.

But now back to the beginning: Federal foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, just came from a Meeting on Ukraine in “Normandy Format” – i.e. Germany, France, Russia, and Ukraine. The second day, he opened with sharp words: Steinmeier spoke of the “turbulent times” and of a “whole Krisengebräu”, because hochkoche. And with an appeal at the end: “We have to Europe to fight”.

Defense and dialogue

Then handle NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Russia sharply and stretched out the Hand towards Moscow. Russia destabilisiere the order of Europe, said Stoltenberg. Russia’s military objectives on the intimidation of the Eastern States. NATO will respond to this challenge with the greatest reinforcement of the military for decades. Also, the United States would have more troops and equipment in Europe to deploy.

Steinmeier: “stormy times”

Stoltenberg recalled that the deterrence of NATO also has a nuclear component have. At the same time, stressed the NATO Secretary General that the Alliance has closer relations to Russia, search and constructive relationships with wool.

The should also the possible revival of the NATO-Russia Council. The planned establishment of a missile defence system, so Stoltenberg, was not directed against Russia. The conclusion of the Norwegian: We need more of both: defense and dialogue.

“New Form of Hyper-terrorism”

Afterwards, the French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, martial sounds: Valls sees the world in a war against a new Form of Hyper-terrorism. An asymmetric war is that, without States, without rules, without boundaries. Talks, diplomacy with an opponent such as the so-called Islamic state was not possible. The IS must up to the annihilation to be fought. Valls warned of the spread of IS in Libya and appealed for a European Verteidigungspakt.

Stoltenberg: “Russia destabilizes Europe”

Europe was its ability to respond to demonstrate. At the same time, had the IS and all Jihad movements are also ideologically opposed. As does Valls, in particular the Muslims in the duty.

The topic of Syria sees France’s Premier, the agreement of the Unterstützergruppe of Munich as a first step. France, stressed Valls, respect Russia’s interests. But: For the way of peace would have the Russian air raids to stop.

It was followed with great interest awaited the appearance of the Russian Prime Minister Medvedev. He diagnosed a drastic deterioration of relations between the West and Russia – and made alone, the West is responsible for this.

Accusations against the West

Medvedev mocked about how Russia is constantly the biggest threat to stylized will, as NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg just an hour before had done.

Medvedev: “IS common enemy”

It followed a series of accusations against the West: with Regard to the Ukraine sees Medvedev that Minsk II agreement is the best Instrument to create peace. However, Kiev with the implementation in the default. To Syria, said Medvedev: There must be a uniform state. The world could no further, Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan afford. Medvedev made foreign intervention, and, implicitly, the West is partly responsible for the war.

Under terms of a state visit six years ago, he explained, at that time was Syria a prosperous Land had been. “Without interference from the outside would have Syria can continue to develop”. But Western politicians have repeatedly said that Assad had to go. “Now we have civil war,” he summarized. The IS he invoked as a common enemy. And said at the same time the terrorism to the Zivilisationsproblem. “We cannot go into the good and the bad, moderates and radicals, terrorists divide.” This, however, means that in the event of Syria: Any armed Opposition against dictator Bashar al-Assad is terrorism. And so, from the Russian point of view, legitimate targets of attacks.