euro|topics - Russia's aggressive stance

Main focus of Friday, November 7, 2008

Russia's aggressive stance

In his first speech on the state of the nation, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has announced he wants to station short-range missiles in Kaliningrad. The Iskander missiles are meant to "neutralise" the planned US missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. The European press discusses Russia's menacing gestures and their political consequences.

Postimees - Estonia

The Estonian daily Postimees was not particularly surprised by Medvedev's announcement: "Let's say Iskander missiles are indeed set up in the Kaliningrad area. So what? Let us not forget that Medvedev's speech was preceded by the annual speech of predecessor Vladimir Putin in which he announced that Russia would be upgrading its weapons arsenal. ... What's more, Moscow already threatened to aim its nuclear weapons at Poland and the Czech Republic when they signed the agreements with the US. And why not Ukraine, too, if it refuses to give up its bid for Nato membership? Russia is dictated by nationalist interests and tends to embark on adventures with an aggressive and expansionist undertone, although that almost sounds like a cliché." (07/11/2008)

Latvijas Avīze - Latvia

The daily Latvijas Avize criticises Medvedev's militant rhetoric but urges other nations to remain calm: "The most foolish thing the Americans, Poles, Czechs, Latvians or other politicians from Nato states could do now would be to try to persuade Moscow that our defence systems do not represent a threat to Russia, but are intended to protect against attacks from terrorist regimes. It would be nothing but a humiliation for the world's strongest military alliance to try to justify itself. ... We should simply wait calmly and see what actually happens as regards the announced stationing of Iskander missiles. The war in Georgia demonstrated all too clearly how damaging and antiquated much of Russia's weapons technology is. In the end the only ones to suffer under Medvedev's threats will be the residents of Kaliningrad themselves if their region is further militarised." (07/11/2008)

Delo - Slovenia

Delo newspaper writes that the Baltic states, the Czech Republic and Poland are concerned that the EU's Russia policy must be more consistent: "Despite Russia's threat that it will set up a missile defence shield in Kaliningrad, the European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner has advocated a start to negotiations on partnership and cooperation between the EU and Russia. ... The EU's policy is less consistent than the Russian: on the one hand Europe criticises Russia and on the other it flatters the Kremlin because it is dependent on its energy supplies. ... No one is in doubt in the new Europe that the US will have more understanding for its fears in the future, despite the change in president. ... No real changes are anticipated in US - Russian relations. In EU - Russian relations, however, the former members of the Warsaw Pact at the very least would like to see a little more consistency, or even stringency." (07/11/2008)

The Irish Times - Ireland

The Irish Times writes that US president-elect Barack Obama faces a series of strategic decisions: "[Medvedev's] blunt warning that the new US administration must 'make a choice in favour of a full-fledged relationship with Russia' came in his first presidential state of the nation address since he succeeded Vladimir Putin. It can be read as the opening shot in a new cold war with the West or more convincingly as a clear statement that Russian interests should not be overlooked in any policy reappraisal following Mr Obama's victory. The Democrats are much less committed to missile defence, believing it is technically unproven and prohibitively expensive. ... Mr Obama cannot be seen to be put on the defensive by the Russian announcement, but neither will he want to adopt too hostile a position before he takes up office. This political transition in Washington promises to be much more active and substantive than previous ones." (07/11/2008)

» To the complete press review of Friday, November 7, 2008

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