NATO

Comment: Peaceful coexistence with Russia

The NATO-Russia Council convenes again, but as it goes more in the mutual relations? Necessary small steps to de-escalate. However, the stalemate will remain, says Ingo man devil.

The NATO-Russia Council, met by chance shortly after the NATO summit in Warsaw. Rather, the peaks of the TRANS-Atlantic military Alliance and the Meeting in the NATO-Russia Council, to symbolize the Central elements of the Western “double strategy” towards Russia: a Demonstration of military strength are closely associated with the willingness to dialogue on the interest differences between the West and Russia.

The adopted troop presence in the Baltic States and in Poland, is a response to the Russia threat, that feeling is especially prevalent among the Eastern European members of the Alliance. The four battalions are, therefore, a real sign of Alliance solidarity and a Signal of deterrence.

On the other hand: around 4000 soldiers are rattles, no excessive “saber”. A real military threat to Russia from the Baltic States would have to include the whole of other capacities. It is to be hoped that the Russian leadership considers this to be just as sober and don’t believe in an arms race.

The avoidance of a military confrontation

NATO must make the Kremlin made it clear that it has no aggressive intentions against Russia. The Russian foreign policy, has broken the jointly agreed European order of peace. To this perception of Russia as a threat not only to the Russian Ukraine contributed to the policy, but also the extremely dangerous provocations of the Russian military in the Baltic sea region and the Black sea. These incidents need to be discussed in the NATO-Russia Council, if the Council will now come back together permanently.

From the Position of strength, NATO must now rely on de-escalation and talks with Russia, as military confrontation can definitely be avoided. President Putin has indicated in recent weeks that Russia, too, could be a de-escalation ready.

A Realistic Russia Policy

The cautious optimism should not obscure a realistic analysis: The relations between the West and Russia are broken, and remain sustainable – even if a de-escalation starts now: The Ukraine was only the occasion and not the cause for this confrontation.

Ingo-man devil heads the Russian editorial office of DW

Russia has been striving for a long time – even before the Ukraine crisis – a restructuring of the European security architecture, as it saw its interests are sufficiently safeguarded. The West has this revisionist ignored demands by Russia for long, because the fact is not of bringing a claim for recognition of zones of Influence with European principles. President Putin has now created in the Ukraine crisis – contrary to all international treaties and agreements – military facts.

The operated by Russia of escalation with the goal of forcing the West a recognition of the Russian claims. The West, however, is far from to confirm Russian zones of Influence in a new European security architecture in a contract. The NATO countries continue to encourage Russia to return to the previous structures: change in the Russian attitude, and does not adapt to Moscow’s concerns are currently to the Western goals.

Security Political Stalemate

On the other hand, Russia with its brutal military Trumps, in fact, important objectives, a real NATO membership of Ukraine and Georgia, for example, a distant one. And the Western sanctions against Russia have slowed down the feared Expansion of Russia in the Ukraine, a Russian withdrawal from the Crimea or the Eastern Ukraine were not able to effect. In the Minsk process, Russia has now the objective of the decision-making process in Ukraine.

Therefore, it is now a safety political stalemate, which will represent the new normalcy between the West and Russia. To get used to this new coexistence, to make it especially peaceful and to avoid an arms race, is the important diplomatic task for the next time.

You can leave below this article, leave a comment. We look forward to your expression!