Russian political mentality has been extremely reluctant to
accept the fact that the Soviet Union ‘passed away' over a decade ago and that Russia is no longer
the only major player in the post-Soviet sphere. Russia's
former president and current prime minister, Vladimir Putin even lamented the
breakup of the Soviet Union as "the greatest
geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century."
Under the influence of neo-Soviet nostalgia and revanchist
nationalism, the Russian political elite still considers the territories of the
surrounding post-Soviet republics as Russia's
backyard where a Russian version of the "Monroe
doctrine" can be imposed. In their view, it is just a matter of time before Russia re-establishes
itself as a regional and global superpower and re-asserts its interests in the
international arena. The Kremlin perceives obstruction of further expansion
of NATO as vital since the alliance is considered to represent the biggest
threat to Russia's neo-imperialist ambitions.
From the perspective of the West, NATO's enlargement has
not been a military threat to Russia
since the end of the cold war. Quite on the contrary, admission of Central and
Eastern European countries to the alliance has made those regions more stable,
democratic, and prosperous. In fact, Russia's own failure to build a
reputation as a trustworthy neighbor in terms of security and to dissolve the re-annexation
fears of the former Communist satellite republics encouraged those countries'
integration in NATO.
In the case of Georgia
and Ukraine,
apart from their legitimate wish to integrate into the Western democratic
community, the unwillingness of Russian foreign policy makers to provide
security guarantees and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
those republics has been the primary push factor for the two to bid for NATO
membership. Instead of engaging in a meaningful dialogue with Georgia and Ukraine,
Russia
chose to use its energy and military muscles against its neighbors. As an
illustration:
- In Ukraine, despite the popular support for pro-Western candidate Victor Yushchenko during the presidential elections of 2004, Russia openly supported recognition of fraudulent election results to ensure the victory of pro-Russian candidate. Allegedly, during the presidential campaign, Russian security forces even tried to kill Yushchenko by dioxin poisoning. Since 2004, ‘energy blackmail' has been a favorite political tool for Moscow to punish Ukrainians for choosing the pro-Western course. Last year, Putin even threatened Ukraine to target it with nuclear missiles if it joined NATO. Some Russian politicians have even called for Russia to disintegrate Ukraine, particularly to take the Crimean Peninsula from it and to support separatist movements in largely Russian speaking eastern parts of the country.
- In Georgia, Russia has been largely responsible for provoking separatist wars in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. With the help of Russian official and paramilitary troops, the separatists conducted ethnic cleansing of Georgians in both regions. All attempts of Georgian government to solve the conflicts peacefully have been blocked by Russia. Moreover, while ethnic Georgian refugees are not allowed to return to their homes, Russian citizens have moved from various parts of the Russian Federation to occupy their properties in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Both separatist regions have been tightly controlled by Russian military and security forces. In direct violation of all international laws, Russia has broadly granted Russian citizenship to Abkhaz and South Ossetian separatists and pledged to defend its new citizens if Georgia attempted to use force to reassert control over those regions. As a reminder, Nazi Germany used similar tactics against Czechoslovakia prior to its occupation in 1938: during the 1930s Hitler massively granted German citizenship to ethnic Germans living in the Sudetenland, the western part of Czechoslovakia. Later, in order to ‘defend' German co-nationals, Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia.
Moscow's pursuit of
neoimperial policies towards Georgia
and Ukraine
has left no alternative to those countries but to seek NATO membership.
There is no doubt that Russia's security concerns
should be heard. However, Russia
has to learn to respect security concerns of its neighbors too. Moscow has no right to dictate Georgia
and Ukraine
or any other country to reverse the pro-Western course. Neither should Western
powers betray young democracies in the post-Soviet sphere because of increasing
dependency on Russian energy supplies.
As for Russia,
it would truly benefit from vigorously developing its democratic institutions. Running
the country better than President Yeltsin and selling oil for higher prices during
the world oil crisis are not signs of great leadership. Russia should understand that bullying neighboring countries by supporting separatist movements will neither alleviate
Russian security concerns nor will it deter Georgia
and Ukraine
from having pro-Western democratic aspirations.
Grigol Ubiria is a PhD scholar at the Australian National University.
Related materials from the Atlantic Community:
- Atlantic Memo 7: Ukraine's Western Integration: A Slow Process
- Joerg Beige & Arianna de Mario: Human Rights in Russia: Appealing to Outside Interference
- Valentine Anatolevich Akishkin: Further Deterioration Of Relations With Russia
- 7
August 4, 2008
valentine akishkin
I am afraid you have it all totally wrong. You should realize that Russia was, is and always will be a dominate country in Euro Asia and moreover in world affairs, whether you like it or not. If we ever hear of an Aussie in orbit or constructing supersonic airplanes, atomic power stations, I might probably have to change my mind.
The disintegration of the Soviet Union was a terrible catastrophe and Putin was absolutely right. It tore families apart, disintegrated the economy, gave a rise to nationalism, and left many of the regions of the former Soviet Union in distress. Please do not mix disintegration with the fall of communism.
The language you are using makes me admire and wonder where you picked up your imperialistic, neo-Soviet, revanchist vocabulary.
As to NATO amicably surrounding Russia. I am sure that nobody would feel secure being surrounded by a “friendly military block” led by the US. Have the patience to study Iraq. Then again, I do not believe that entrance into NATO make the member countries more prosperous as no military block is ever intended to boost production; quite on the contrary it ingests resources. The European countries united to their own benefit and could have done that without forming any military block and lived just as happily. If anything, NATO helps to pacify disputes among member states, if you know anything about the history of Europe.
As to territorial disputes. Russia has no territorial disputes with either the Ukraine or Georgia. Georgia has a dispute with a former Republic that was integrated into the Georgian republic by an order of Stalin. In 1992, Georgia started warfare on South Ossetia and killed thousands of its citizens. I thought you should share a thought for them. Just the other day bus loads of children were being evacuated to North Ossetia to save them from Georgian shelling Tsinval their capital. I should remind you that Russia troops are stationed between arguing sides conforming to a UN mandate as are the number of these troops. Over 150 Russian soldiers have lost theirs lives trying to keep warring sides apart. If Russia leaves the place before any agreement is reached it will end up in a blood bath for either side.
Now to granting Russian citizenship. How would you feel yourself if you were deprived of your Australian passport? I guess you would be posted up in “Down under” for the rest of your life. Living in Europe is somewhat different, you must have a passport to cross borders should you want to visit a relative, a football match in Moscow, even if it is in a former Soviet Republic more so Europe, America or even a yachting tournament in Sydney.
Imagine for a moment that Australia disintegrated and split up into states, each with its own passport and laws. Do you think you could manage the passport control without a document? You probably could, but you would finally end up in jail. These people had been in isolation for 15 years, none of the documents issued by the local authorities were recognized anywhere. Russia was holding an embargo – no trade, no transport, no Russian visiting South Ossetia etc. Measured imposed by the UN and strictly followed by Russia. The Kosovo precedent changed this situation and Russia slacked border control, and just days ago finished assisting in restoring railway transportation.
Retaliating to your example concerning the issue of passports to the people of South Ossetia, I should guess they would have agreed to Hitler issuing them a passport if it allowed them to travel or cross the border of their country and safely return without being cross-examined for illegal trespassing or what is worse arrested. I believe that the average Aussie never cares for a passport unless need urges him to cross the border of the country. I assume that 90 % of Australians have never seen what a passport looks like unless they have had the privilege to leave Australia. I do not mean swimming too far away from the beach and even in that occasion you will eventually be stopped by border patrol boats. Ever tried to smuggle a couple of apples from Victoria to NSW past the vegetation control? So, give them a fair go mate!
The Ukraine signed a treaty in which the Russia float may remain in Sevastopol until 2017 and determined the borders between Russia and the Ukraine. Another clause of that treat says that the treaty remains valid only on condition that the Ukraine does not enter any military block opposed to Russia. This clearly means that should the Ukraine enter NATO its territorial integrity will be seriously undermined and if any military infrastructure opposed to Russia appears there, you bet Russia will have them in rocket range.
As to those notorious Russia establishing oil prices. You should know that oil prices are not set by Russians or any other nationality; they are a refection of the market. Until recently, the Ukraine had serious problems paying from Russian energy resources and never paid nor pays anywhere near European prices. The main pipelines carrying gas to Europe pass through the Ukraine. Enormous amounts of gas aimed for Europe buyers were regularly drained off Russian pipelines, facts recognized and registered by international intermediates.
As to the “popularity” of Victor Yushenko. You might not know that the US had a steady hand in organizing and financing what we call today a “colour” revolution in the Ukraine that ended up in Yushenko being elected. By coincidence the same happened in Georgia. I doubt not Yushenko is popular in the western world; I wish he were just as popular in the Ukraine. Though, I do regret that we did give afford some moral support to his opponent.
As to “Russia’s” poisoning Yushenko. Three year have passed since the “poisoning” and there has not been the slightest proof that any Russian had anything to do with it. The investigation will go on forever and will evoke in the form of rumours any time someone wants to find fault in Russia.
Cheers mate and don’t be so harsh on Russia.
Valentine Akishkin