The new US president has nothing but nice things to say about Vladimir Putin. He believes he will get along with Putin swimmingly, and admires him as a strong leader in a dangerous world. Populist politicians in Europe, including UKIP’s Nigel Farage and the Front National’s Marine Le Pen, have been similarly effusive in their praise. But where does that leave Europe?
We had a comment from Ironworker, who said it was time for Europe to press the ‘reset’ button on several issues, including its relationship with Russia. Now that Donald Trump is President of the United States (and looks ready to cosy up to the Kremlin), could this be the opportunity Europe needs to improve its relationship with Moscow?
To get a response, we spoke to Dr. Mark Galeotti, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague. What did he have to say?
The trouble is that, although, quite frankly I think that Europe would love to improve its relationship with Russia, it’s very hard to see what common ground we have. There are Russian troops in Ukraine and they seem to be in no hurry to withdraw. Putin himself has made it clear that what he’s looking for is essentially a reshaping of the international order which would undermine all the progress we’ve made since 1945 in trying to move away from an era in which strong countries prey on weak ones.
So, although I don’t think anyone is looking for a confrontation in Europe, I’m not particularly convinced we could do anything. The last ‘reset’, after all, essentially encouraged Putin to think that he could press on with his aggressive policies, and I regret that if we tried it again we would just simply be looking weak.
To get another reaction, we spoke to Dr. Arkady Moshes from the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. What would he say?
First of all, it’s not clear if Mr. Trump is going to actually push the reset button… There are lots of issues on which Moscow is very unlikely to make any concessions: be it nuclear arms reduction, be it Crimea, be it the situation in the East of Ukraine. So, basically the field for compromise and cooperation between Russia and the United States might be very narrow. So, it’s too early to say.
Secondly, it’s possible that if Washington attempts to make a deal and compromise with Moscow, it’s going to come at Europe’s expense. Less NATO, and less US commitment to the defence and security of Europe… So, the US-Russian reset may actually complicate the strategic situation between Europe and Russia…
Finally, one of the underlying problems between Russia and Europe is that both the Russian elites and the Russian people are no longer impressed with Europe. It is no longer viewed as a success story [and] Russians like success stories. Russians like impressive foreign policy actors. Russians respect power. The way Europe looks to Russia is very far from that image… If Europe decides to lift sanctions without making sure that the previously stated preconditions have been met, it would only deepen and strengthen the image of Europe in Russia as a weak actor. That would likely be destabilising, and would not be a sustainable basis for improving relations with Moscow.
We also had a comment from Laker, who argued that the West seems divided and unsure of itself in the face of aggression from Putin’s Russia. So, what exactly is Putin’s game plan here? Is he trying to split the Western alliance? And is he succeeding? We asked Dr. Mark Galeotti to respond.
The reason [Putin] seems to be being so successful, though, is because we’ve essentially got a current crisis of legitimacy in the West generally. There is uncertainty over quite what kind of a European Union there ought to be – should it be a closer political one or not? We’ve obviously got Brexit triggering thoughts of exit in some other countries; and we have a United States that, under Trump, is likely to be much, much less interested in the kind of entangling alliances that have been so central to US foreign policy in the past. So, I think the thing about Putin is that he’s taking advantage of a wider situation, rather than creating it. But, yes, at the moment I’m sure he feels that things are largely going his way.
What would it take to ‘reset’ relations with Russia? Would Europe look ‘weak’ if it lifted sanctions on Russia without any preconditions being met? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
148 comments Post a commentcomment
Reset to what? Maybe you should start by not amassing troups at their border
Maybe, but just maybe, they should do the same first…
They did not start this.
The best thing to do with the Russians, is to just talk to them.
Maybe they should stop sending troops, fighter jets, and submarines into foreign territory without permission, and stop sending their prisoners such as neo nazis who post images of puppies they’ve brutally killed on social media to continue the aggression of their puppet “nation” while posting images of mutilated Ukrainian POWs to the same website.
They have permision to act in Syria. Other things are incidents done by deranged private people. About Treatment of POWs it is Ukrainian civil war problem. It was not Russian invasion. If POWs where tortured it should be resolwed.
Russia is involved (and certainly has a say) in this Ukrainian civil war.
Mirko Martinovic First of all you should stop lying, if it is possible for Russia supporter
Ievgen Podlasov What m i lying? Also i m not Russia supporter so that means you are the one who is lying. You lying liar
Marko, the Russians 100% started the border escalation. What’s more is they escalated to a higher degree than NATO did. If you have a neighbour state sending troops to your boundary and just do nothing you are inviting attack. I’ve read in the media that Putin has inserted propaganda agents into several countries to promote a Pro Russian stance. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but your comments make me think it might be, you’re either being fed pro Russian propaganda or are attempting to spread it deliberately.
I think we’d stop relations with bloody Russian regime because it violates international law and violates our basic rights: the right to life, the right to liberty, the right to freedom of speech, the right to freedom of peaceful assembly etc. Russia violates sovereignties of our countries, inviolability of our frontiers… so we’d stop relations with Russia until Russian regime will abandon its policy of intimidation and terrorism in its new craziest form – the international state terrorism
Вы лучше выведите свои войска из Добасса и прекратите убивать мирных жителей!
Уж чья бы корова мычала!! Кровавый парашенковский режим пытается свалить свои преступления на Россию!
go and kiss photo with Putin
The EU cares so much about Russian troops in Ukraine abd demands they withdraw but has no care about Turkish troops occupying EU member country Cyprus. Why doesn’t the EU demand Turkey withdraw its troops? Why is the EU pro- EU candidate Turkey and anti-Russian? Turkey has ISIS attacks every week and you want to give them EU visas. Turkey has terrorised its own people for alleged associations to the coup (purging dissenters), no free speech, killing Kurds, occupying Cyprus and is trying to become a dictatorship. What has non-EU member or candidate Russia done compared to that and what has it got to do with the EU? At least Russia respects and upholds International law.
Russia upholds international law?! Let me laugh.
I really would like links to information that they violate international law. Everything I have read hasn’t proved they do. Please share your info by posting relevant links. The EU has an interest in Ukraine for many strategic reasons not because they care. Otherwise Israel, Turkey and the rest would be on their list of condemned countries.
http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng
Search for keyword “Russia”
What has that link got to do with Ukraine?
Julia, I half agree with you, it is beyond time Cyprus was free of Turkish troops. It’s also high time Cyprus was reunified in a peaceful and inclusive way. That’s where my agreement ends. I think the reason Turkey gets away with things is exclusively because Turkey is a linchpin location in defence of Europe from Russian attack from the black sea/red sea region. It is also a gateway to the middle east and has natural resources piped through it that Europe wants. Right or wrong (wrong, it is definitely wrong) these are reasons for EU nation state leaders to be very willing to turn a blind eye to Turkey’s less acceptable behaviours. Russia however has violated international law and done so while denying they did it. International law prohibits the use of indiscriminate weaponry such as barrel bombs. International law condemns the attacking of humanitarian aid convoys. International law completely insists against occupation by force of foreign sovereign soil. Russia has done all 3 and lied about doing it. Russia has also been developing new nuclear weaponry, that violates many treaties Russia is a signatory of. That last one though, I suspect that the US among others are also guilty of. . . .
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How about talking to them ?
Talked. Their answer – ‘there are no Russian troops in Ukraine’ despite both of you know that this is lie. There are subjects for whom the only language they understand is force, and attempts to talk they perceive as weakness.
Ievgen Podlasov
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Just as there are Turkish troops in an EU country but who cares ?, certainly not Brussels..
No good ever came from not talking.
First – Europeans need to grow some balls and stop thinking about their short-term business interests in Russia.
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Russians are ‘Europeans’, it would be useful if people at least got the terminology right.
No they’re not, don’t be silly. Most of Russia is Asian. These are people who were ruled by the Mongols, then by nasty tsars, then by communists. They have a completely different mentality. Europeans have failed diplomatically with the Russians for years, because they also delude themselves that Russia thinks on similar terms.
Europeans and Balcanic countries are already different. Russian mentality and European mentality are even more different.
Peter Henry Stephenson
Only in your mind comrade, here is a child’s map to prove it.
http://www.worldatlas.com/img/areamap/continent/europe_map.gif
https://www.quora.com/If-77-of-Russia-is-in-Asia-why-is-it-considered-to-be-an-European-country
Peter Henry Stephenson
‘European’ is a meaningless term as a continent is defined as ‘a large landmass surrounded by water’ which makes Eurasia the continent & you ‘Eurasian’, apart from that being called ‘European’ in the context of the EU is an insult as large proportions of the 440 million people who live in the EU are of African, oriental or Asian descent, whether you like the fact or not.
http://www.plantsgalore.com/plants/types/images/Map-Eurasia-2014.jpg
I think geologically speaking it comes down to continental shelfs. But where you are in he world is kind of meaningless when discussing mindset aka how you think, specifically in this instance what you consider normal good and bad ways to behave. For me personally I don’t take the stance that all Russians think like Peter Henry Stephenson says, but whatever the motives behind it, if someone sends thousands of armed troops to your borders and spends more by gdp on military than it’s nearest rivals by over triple, then it’s time for a show of strength as a minimum. By all means talk still, but do so with conviction about what you will and won’t tolerate.
Get rid of putin
Everyone in Europe thinks about money and nobody thinks about the right approach. If you bend over to Russia, they screw you and then they don’t like you. If you scream at them, they also don’t like you. But if you talk on even terms like Orban does, then you might achieve something. Orban has business deals with Russia, but at the same time Hungary scolds Russia when they misbehave. Recently Rossiya24 news talked about “Hungarian fascism during the 1956 revolution”. Despite the business deals, the Hungarian ambassador summomed his Russian counterpart and told him off. This is what Europeans should treat Russia like. Praise for the good and scold for the bad. It’s the only way to gain their respect. Russia doesn’t like puss.
Will, nothing else, and a concrete offer that makes a difference to people’s lives
It depends pretty much on their attitude…
What on the beeb with Dimblebum
First of all, why do you start by assuming Russia is being aggressive and not defensive? Since Russia is very fond of “power” as a means of defence too, its policy may be more difensive than aggressive. After all, Ukranian government was toppled through a West-backed coup, that’s why Russia reacted. The case is similar in Syria. Putin does not want the whole Ukraine. I think the Russian regions of Ukraine are themselves a compromise to have the rest of Ukraine as a pro-European country.
Secondly, why would the weakening of NATO be bad for Europe? Europe is not the US. Anything that weakens the US’s grip on Europe may be good and may spur EU Common Defence: stop relying on Uncle Sam.
Third, you’ve asked scholars from Easter countries, which are likely not to love Russia, due to their country’s past (that’s understandable). Why don’t you interview some Italian or German scholar? Germany and Italy are hardly hit by US-imposed sanctions on Russia. Let us stop being a puppet: Europe is 70 by now, I think it has grown up enough to leave the Uncle’s nest and be on its own.
Some good points, some nonsense. Europe if left without NATO to defend it, and assuming you can achieve an instantaneous and smooth transition to an EU army alternative has just lost not only American help, but Canada’s, Turkey’s, the UK’s, the allies all of the above would also bring to the table in event of serious and severe threat. So good luck escalating tenfold your military budget just to obtain the same level of protection. That’s without getting into the horror show that would be the EU commission wielding such an army. Then there’s this whole question of Russia defensively invading two peaceful foreign nations? Ffs Ukraine even has the title of the only country in history to get rid of it’s preexisting nuclear arsenal, so Russia can’t even claim the bush-blaire lie of they were hiding wmd’s as justification.
The UK Russia and America , think on that EU
No deals with Russia before they leave occupied territory in Ukraine.
Tamara Jegorov Piss off we will not be told by idiots what we in the UK can do
Tamara Jegorov I could not care less about your piss pot country if you don’t like it go and have a war you mutt
Why the insults David?
Because David White is the pinnacle of human detritus that the media are trying to portray all brexiteers as being. Obnoxious, dissmissive of others and foul mouthed . . . . . . . . . I really hate being pigeonholed into the same category by default. Fyi David, the UK is less likely to warm to Russia than you think, till Putin stops sending military jetplanes and stealth subs into our sovereign territory and airspace without permission on a weekly basis just to . . I dunno, test our response times and detection ability? Just generaly piss off everyone in the military? Because he’s bored? He wants us to shoot one down or sink it so he has an excuse to go to war? Who can really say, but the fact is Russia won’t get anywhere with these tactics diplomatically speaking.
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Disband nato , disband the russian federation , and kick out usa from europe,
So all in all , not possible.
“The trouble is that, although, quite frankly I think that Europe would love to improve its relationship with Russia, it’s very hard to see what common ground we have. There are Russian troops in Ukraine and they seem to be in no hurry to withdraw. Putin himself has made it clear that what he’s looking for is essentially a reshaping of the international order which would undermine all the progress we’ve made since 1945 in trying to move away from an era in which strong countries prey on weak ones.
So, although I don’t think anyone is looking for a confrontation in Europe, I’m not particularly convinced we could do anything. The last ‘reset’, after all, essentially encouraged Putin to think that he could press on with his aggressive policies, and I regret that if we tried it again we would just simply be looking weak”. Improving relations with an exKGB in power since 1999? The countries that belonged once to the abusive and hostage reality called USSR…still have nightmares about it. These are the major impediments to establish a “clean” european relation with Russia.
“The trouble is that, although, quite frankly I think that Europe would love to improve its relationship with Russia, it’s very hard to see what common ground we have. There are Russian troops in Ukraine and they seem to be in no hurry to withdraw. Putin himself has made it clear that what he’s looking for is essentially a reshaping of the international order which would undermine all the progress we’ve made since 1945 in trying to move away from an era in which strong countries prey on weak ones.
So, although I don’t think anyone is looking for a confrontation in Europe, I’m not particularly convinced we could do anything. The last ‘reset’, after all, essentially encouraged Putin to think that he could press on with his aggressive policies, and I regret that if we tried it again we would just simply be looking weak”. Improving relations with an exKGB in power since 1999? The countries that belonged once to the abusive and hostage reality called USSR…still have nightmares about it. These are the major impediments to establish a “clean” european relation with Russia.
Simple pragmatism no ideology
Realpolitik. Crimea is populated 90% by RUSSIANS. So what’s the problem in leaving them to Russia? Stop acting like we’re still in Cold War era. Remove the useless sanctions, and USA should start collaboration with Russians to wipe out islamism. The real enemy is not Russia, but much far to the east. Europe? I know what I am going to say is unpopular, but if people is not accepting the idea of a strong military involvement and to see some body bags coming back home, it will count ZERO, like today, on the international scene. Until Europe is not Europe but Grosser Deutschland, making only mrs. Merkel interests, Eu will count nothing. Up to now Europe is only a weak economical entity in poitical and economical decadence caring the interest of only one country. GERMANY.
Russia ceded Crimea to Ukraine in 1954. Ukraine is a separate country. Russia cannot invade Crimea and annex it – that’s a key principle of modern international law, on which the UN was founded.
Russia ceded Crimea to Ukraine in 1954 when Ukraine was in the USSR, so that either way the Kremlin had the ultimate oversight over Crimea – it was therefore little more than a symbolic move.
Of course Russian actions nevertheless violate international laws and Crimea is technically occupied territory, but that does not change the reality that the majority of its population is and identifies as Russian – and that there is now only the smallest chance of Crimea being returned to Ukraine.
While I do not agree with the entire original comment, the bit about Crimea is realistic and should be accepted by the West as well.
Just press that button problem solved 😁😁😁 !!! Joking !!!
Just press that button problem solved !!! Joking !!!
Peter Henry Stephenson
‘European’ is a meaningless term as a continent is defined as ‘a large landmass surrounded by water’ which makes Eurasia the continent & you ‘Eurasian’, apart from that being called ‘European’ in the context of the EU is an insult as large proportions of the 440 million people who live in the EU are of African, oriental or Asian descent, whether you like the fact or not.
http://www.plantsgalore.com/plants/types/images/Map-Eurasia-2014.jpg
Maybe we should first try resetting Europe from its Germanisation and then look what may happen with Russia. Probably that would prove to be the right resetting method :-)
Вы лучше выведите свои войска из Добасса и прекратите убивать мирных жителей!
Уж чья бы корова мычала!! Кровавый парашенковский режим пытается свалить свои преступления на Россию!
I guess the Russia is the 1 who should reset relations… Europe Union havent invaded any country…
dolbojob stop spreading fake information :)
is it okay, that Kiev goverment bomded their own citizen ????
RT :D
blooodshit
Jurij Savickij Starts conversation by personal harasment :D
Jurij Savickij Cant say, what you have seen at RT, dont watch that crap, also, i m not getting paid by posting comments, so you dont have to start a comment warfare;)
Why invade other countries directly when you can just incite a revolt and finance it secretly
I saw a lot of guys like you, they are really nazi, in the bar, starting the aggression and then falling down to the ground.
When your view is clouded by too much anti-Russian propaganda, you cannot restart any normal relations. The whole issue about Ukraine and Crimea is propaganda, with little connection to reality – so much that even now there is still evidence lying around at the crash site of the Malaysian plane that the Dutch investigation board has not even bothered to collect, but at the same time has reached definitive conclusions about the case. Everything about Russia is only hateful words, but little facts to corroborate them. It seems all right just to throw something bad about Russia to the media and everyone takes the bait like stupid fish, without any questioning. If you view a person or a nation as inferior, you are the one who is violating their human rights in the first place, so what can you expect from them in return? Respect and normal relations? Of course not! If you try to deprive someone of their dignity, they will revolt against you. This is exactly what is happening. The more useless sanctions, the more confrontation and animosity aimed at nothing but humiliating the Russians, the harder their response will be. Julia Hadjikyriacou above is so correct about the hypocritical double approach of EU towards human rights because Turkey has invaded and annexed Northern Cyprus, there is a widespread repression against Kurds and anyone opposing Erdogan, but compare the treatment of Turkey with that of Russia! Two opposite extremes – one is quiet acceptance and support, the other is rejection by default and war-mongering. This is only an illustration of the damaging effects of anti-Russian propaganda and outdated cold-war sentiments still prevailing in EU. Europe needs to move on and realise that Russia is not the Soviet Union any more, it is a modern country, with an exquisite culture, its people have pride and dignity just like any other European and would not stand someone trampling over them, whatever the economic cost of that may be. When European politicians shake off their lies, misconceptions and prejudices, sit down and talk with the Russians like human beings and try to understand their point of view, then there might be a chance for progress in relations. Isn’t it strange – EU can show utmost respect to brutal dictators from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel who violate human rights and international law on a daily basis, but not to Russia? This is ridiculous! EU politicians need to remove their false pretenses first, be honest, treat their neighbour with respect and then there will be no obstacle to cooperation with them.
Russia was looking like joining NATO and therefore gaining integral partnership with the EU just a few short years ago. Putin never applied, but the Russian military developed NATO standard ammunition versions of their assault rifles, they were granted an exclusive position with NATO as a non member. All this talk about Russia needing a sphere around it for defense is complete horse excrement. It’s “Sphere” would have covered the Northern hemisphere. Putin’s actions alone dictate the renewal of aggressive attitude.
Reset? Like start all over? He who forgets history is committed to repeating it, and nobody wants to repeat it, especially with respect to Russia.
Reset? Like start all over? He who forgets history is committed to repeating it, and nobody wants to repeat it, especially with respect to Russia.
t r u m p !!!
Excellent collection of views for Europe.
Without a change of Russian government, relations aren’t getting much warmer.
It is impossible to talk to Russia from force position, but the USA on another is not able. For the present early on buttons to press. Let’s look that Trump will bring to this world and whether Europe will learn independence, then it will be visible.
the porblem is Russia understands nothing but brutal force
Anatolii Tolstiakov Можете привести примеры, когда применение такой силы привели к положительному результату?
Россия не считает дипломатию способом решать дела. Несоблюдение договоров и международного права, ай-яй-яй.
Never application of a brute force against Russia brought anything good. And we in Russia intend to carry on this tradition. Only conversation as equals, only identical to all, without exception laws and rules.
Anatolii Tolstiakov Дипломатия не помогла не в Югославии, не в Ираке, не в Ливии. Не спасла от цветных революций в Грузии и на Украине. Международное право нарушалось и нарушается США и его союзниками в обход ООН или при его попустительстве. Россия ничего не сделала из того, что не было бы ранее сделано союзниками по НАТО. Равноценный ответ, – разве это не дипломатично?
Have USNATO out of Europe, make an European Alliance instead and have defence agreements with RF, stop economical war aginst RF, stop funding oppositions and hostile NGO’s, stop funding Al Qaïda, AL Nosra, ukrainian neonazis, and Talibans, and start doing great business with russian markets and ressources. That’s all it takes.
Have USNATO out of Europe, make an European Alliance instead and have defence agreements with RF, stop economical war aginst RF, stop funding oppositions and hostile NGO’s, stop funding Al Qaïda, AL Nosra, ukrainian neonazis, and Talibans, and start doing great business with russian markets and ressources. That’s all it takes.
Until the EU gains a backbone and can stand up to the USA and Russia, nothing
Anatolii Tolstiakov Можете привести примеры, когда применение такой силы привели к положительному результату?
Россия не считает дипломатию способом решать дела. Несоблюдение договоров и международного права, ай-яй-яй.
God bless Putin! Save Europe from USA diktat!
Anatolii Tolstiakov Дипломатия не помогла не в Югославии, не в Ираке, не в Ливии. Не спасла от цветных революций в Грузии и на Украине. Международное право нарушалось и нарушается США и его союзниками в обход ООН или при его попустительстве. Россия ничего не сделала из того, что не было бы ранее сделано союзниками по НАТО. Равноценный ответ, – разве это не дипломатично?
It would take everyone to start acting like adults.
Again?
The EU should approach Russia instead of keep it off.
One problem with resetting relations with Russia is that you cannot trust the Russian government. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’d like to see the entire West united in an alliance (that includes Russia) or a federal constitutional republic with autonomous regional governments based on ethnic placement and historical nation-state boundaries, but we first have to sort out why Russians always turn to imperialism and always fail to build up their country from what can be found inside their own country. Russia is a rich country, but why do they keep threatening their neighboring countries, especially Eastern European ones?
Eastern Europe has a lot of experience with Russia and they resent them, and for good reason. However, I do believe there is something that is fundamentally wrong with those in power in Russia and everyone has to fix that somehow.
Oh, and we have to flush out the left wing from society. They will only lead us to death, destruction and suffering, unless we revert back to a steadily right-wing oriented society.
Why don’t we go back to feudalism as well?
I have a better idea, let’s kill the right wing instead.
Do you really want to have the second USSR on your ass?
Go to North Korea if you want to have a left-wing utopia.
p.s. in a right wing society your avatar would probably be banned too. :p
I don’t mind, nor do I particularly care.
I’m well aware that the right-wing is heavily based around imperial truths, traditions, hierarchies and morals, as well as strict nationalism and that is what I’d like to see again in this world.
Drop the trade restrictions and have a cool down time.
But wouldn’t that suggest we’re ok with military action against weaker and peaceful nations? Frankly trade restrictions was a wishy washy approach to begin with. Not saying I’m in favour of war with Russia, but to go from trade restrictions as a form of protest of wrong action to “all is forgiven, let’s pretend this never happened. Oh and you can keep the Ukraine & Georgia, we never really respected their right to self rule either.” Is just going to send the message that Putin can do whatever the f*@k he wants and we won’t do anything about it. He treats his people to huge military spending when most live in poverty, that’s one thing. They elected him so they must want that. But when anyone tries military takeover of another nation state in this day and age the entire world needs to be standing up and screaming NO! If we don’t then what’s to stop medieval styled imperialism but with 21st century weaponry? Genocide of entire ethnicities? Rule by oppression? If that’s the world we live in still then we may as well launch every last nuke and give up on ourselves right now.
Trump needs to grab em by the pussy!
True election campaign, true election day, no gerrymandering, no cheating. Fair politics with neighbouring countries.
Common sense…😊👍
Common sense…
ditto
I think basically he is right. Why did Obama/Biden NOT in the end ‘reset’? What theat is Russia now, really??
NEVER !
America the UK and Russia one and a half billion people that’s 3 times the size of the EU
last I checked they are about even.
Aaron, really? EU=508million-65million from UK =443 million. USA 322million+russia143million+UK 65million = 530 million. That’s actually a difference of 87 million. Hardly an ignorable difference. The thing I can’t help but wonder about is what it has to do with anything. EU + China + India. Would be a massive number of population. But it still doesn’t make any sense to put the three together. Is David White saying he wants the UK, USA & Russian Federation to merge? It’ll never happen!
Russia has had its main naval port in Crimea for decades if not a century. The EU and allies tried to take that away from Russia by playing buerocrtic games to have Ukraine (and subsequently Crimea) under the European flag, taking away Russia’s naval power in the region. And while that sort of tactic works in the corrupt and rotten system the EU has, Russia didn’t take any shit from them. Honestly, what would anyone else do in their place?
Cut the crap …and the sanctions with it! Cyprus is occupied by Turkey too and yet the EU does not seem to bat an eyelid. On the contrary it strikes ridiculous deals with the occupier (i.e. Turkey) which is not even to be trusted with Erdogan in power. Now what are the sanctions against Russia for exactly? Ukraine is not even a member of the EU and they had a referendum in Crimea whether they want to be part of Ukraine or Russia (or am I wrong?). Following NATO/US orders maybe? NATO is the most bloodthirsty organisation in the world. Perhaps we should recall what happened with Kosovo.
What it would take? Well, to start with, Russia should become a civilized country (ain’t gonna happen).
Erdogan’s gone off the deep end, and even NATO is thinking about ditching Turkey. That’s one thing.
Another one is, that “referendum” in Crimea was as much bullshit as the “referendum” in 1945 Poland, where “everyone” supposedly wanted to submit to the Soviets.
Seriously, those katsap fucks need to be taught a thing or two about democracy and civilization. For example, how a mushroom cloud looks from up close.
New Russian leadership, willing to work with Europe instead of actively working towards dismantling it.
But since that isn’t happening…
Pragmatism, good sense, knowledge of History, wisdom and good neighborhood pratice.
The West behaving like grown-ups and not as they are told by the US.
Europe thinks it is the next largest power in the world next to the US
If you can´t beat them,Then join them.
If you can´t beat them,Then join them.
Resetting the whole world is much easier. All it takes is a nuclear war. Which is, given the state of the world, mere years away.
AGAIN??
A couple. ;)
In fact, if we stick to international law so strictly, Russia’s cession of Crimea to Ukraine in 1954 was illegal under the USSR constitution at the time. (So was the disbandment of the USSR and later of Yugoslavia.) Ukraine was NOT a separate and independent country in 1954.
George Titkov let me understand: was Crimea part of Russia and NOT of Ukraine???
Time. Russia is on a path that cannot maintain. As long as Europe has an equal or superior military force then it should just continue with business as usual. Russia will crumble under internal pressure sooner or later, no need to rush it and make a hurried bad decision that could cause Europe its freedom and well-being.
Russia has been no threat? 😀 Ethnic cleansing? NATO provocation? Oh sir… You continue like this and I m gonna die of laughter
Russia has been no threat? Ethnic cleansing? NATO provocation? Oh sir… You continue like this and I m gonna die of laughter
Redefining the spheres of influence. Guarantee the security and integrity of the EU’s eastern flank in exchange for zero interference in Ukraine and Belarus.
Stop NATO provoking Russia, lift sanctions. And slap a fair- trade regulation on EU imports. Stop this worker exploitation by international corporations in BRICS countries and others. And go renewable energy to end wars. Being fair and just doesn’t mean you don’t have protective rules and take protective actions.
a coffe
Thats a gd idea i vote for Nespresso 😜
It would take a lot of stupidity and denial.
All of Eastern Europe should be a demilitarized zone. No NATO military forces, no Russian forces. Russia pulls out of the Ukraine and in return NATO pulls out of the Baltic area, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria. This should create a large enough border of peace so things can be decided diplomatically from now on.
How about no?
As long as Russia will follow realist politics and west will follow liberal idealism there cannot be ‘reset’ of relations of west with Russia. So either the NATO must behave realistically based on geopolitics or Russia must be turned into liberal state. The first would be disavowal of NATO to accept Ukraine and Georgia (take back the Bucharest deal from 4/2008). The second would take coup d’etat and subsequential fragmentation of Russian federation into many parts. The Russia is back on the old Soviet strategy ‘have always strategic bombers in air’, so if coup would fail or was longer just by few hours it could result in a-bomb attack on western capitals.
now that’s a real debate..what do we want from Russia and what do they want?
Everything and right now 😊
Thats a gd idea i vote for Nespresso ?
Everything and right now ?
This is what is interest of Russia and their geopolitics. So what exactly can you mutually agree to create better economic position for both sides? Cause ultimately what is driving this is economy and its since in significant percentage of Russian national revenue that comes from sales of fossil fuels to Europe they can’t afford to give that up without destroying their economy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6njHg4TGBfc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE6rSljTwdU&list=PL-xsv0DFxiQ63Jz-OnPrhjOj4dVLM531Q
This is what is interest of Russia and their geopolitics. So what exactly can you mutually agree to create better economic position for both sides? Cause ultimately what is driving this is economy and its since in significant percentage of Russian national revenue that comes from sales of fossil fuels to Europe they can’t afford to give that up without destroying their economy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6njHg4TGBfc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE6rSljTwdU&list=PL-xsv0DFxiQ63Jz-OnPrhjOj4dVLM531Q
Oil. Money.
They want NATO to stop encroaching on their borders, to remove nuclear weapons from Eastern Europe, and to stop surrounding them with military bases.
We want them to stop expanding militarily.
And although these things are mutually caused, both are sound arguments and wishes.
There are however, too many mutual interest between the EU countries and Russland, mainly in the cultural, political and economic sphere, fight against Islamic fundamentalism and gas and oil trade being one of them. And if Europe was being left alone by the USA for a few years, the relations would improve drastically and be pretty stable.
So, the real problem is the USA and their warmongering, and Europe’s vassal relations to the USA>
They want NATO to stop encroaching on their borders, to remove nuclear weapons from Eastern Europe, and to stop surrounding them with military bases.
We want them to stop expanding militarily.
And although these things are mutually caused, both are sound arguments and wishes.
There are however, too many mutual interest between the EU countries and Russland, mainly in the cultural, political and economic sphere, fight against Islamic fundamentalism and gas and oil trade being one of them. And if Europe was being left alone by the USA for a few years, the relations would improve drastically and be pretty stable.
So, the real problem is the USA and their warmongering, and Europe’s vassal relations to the USA>
What nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe? this is utter BS.
you must be kidding
By stopping doing ridiculously ignorant things.
How many USA bases are all aroynd the WORLD? Google it. Compare the russian ones.