'Russian threat' is fraught with NATO disintegration

[CarolynWhite]

It can be said that this is already a reality now.

Despite mantras about unity and solidarity, the very NATO cohesion ceased to exist years ago. Only the Baltic States and such eastern European countries like Poland express their full support for anti-Russian views. Some members of the Alliance are in favor of re-establishing the dialogue with Russia while Turkey actually interacts with it at jumping-off ground for military actions in Syria and develops active military-technical cooperation with Russia by entering into a contract for the supply of the S-400 missile systems. NATO leadership, represented by its Secretary General, expresses public interest in close contacts with the Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces, as well as, in expanding the practice of mutual briefings. And judging by the tone and attitudes of Jens Stoltenberg, this is not simply a matter of 'having a cup of tea and talking'.

Washington's grand statements referring to the 'principal' impossibility of dialogue on the normalization of relations with Russia without solving Ukraine's problems are a bit out of tune. That is just such a trend inside NATO now. I mean the situation when the lion's share of anti-Russian rhetoric comes solely from the USA. Moreover, some statements of player characters on the US military-political scene demonstrate the interest in escalating confrontation with Moscow and driving the situation to a critical level. The USA, through its Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, warns its allies of the danger of any advance to contact with Russia without Washington's authorization, threatening even to exclude them from the Alliance if they do not obey.

Could it be stated, based on the above, that there is a split within the North-Atlantic Alliance? Not quite yet, I think. But that is the way things are going. If in the near future the USA does not change negotiation tactics with its European partners, there will be crisis.

The thing is that Europe is tired of following US strict dictates. Countries of old Europe aspire to be more independent. They are long concerned about establishment of own armed forces that could fully substitute NATO. Moreover, a number of influential European politicians even leave open the possibility of creating common Russian-European military defense systems in emphasizing that Russia and Europe are not geopolitical enemies while they face common threats.

It should be understood, however, that in the foreseeable future the changes in relations between NATO and Russia are impossible. And none of the rest of it matters. NATO military alliance is interested in deepening the crisis in the relations with Russia as now it is the only argument that underlines the importance and usefulness of NATO for the Western World. There needs to be an enemy for this military alliance to exist. And now it is Russia.

That is why the United States are so enthusiastic inventing many new threats against which supposedly only North-Atlantic Alliance with its number one 'Russian threat' on the list can protect Europe. Thus, the USA sets the general direction of the NATO anti-Russian vector.

 

[The Sage of Main Street]

It can be said that this is already a reality now.

Despite mantras about unity and solidarity, the very NATO cohesion ceased to exist years ago. Only the Baltic States and such eastern European countries like Poland express their full support for anti-Russian views. Some members of the Alliance are in favor of re-establishing the dialogue with Russia while Turkey actually interacts with it at jumping-off ground for military actions in Syria and develops active military-technical cooperation with Russia by entering into a contract for the supply of the S-400 missile systems. NATO leadership, represented by its Secretary General, expresses public interest in close contacts with the Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces, as well as, in expanding the practice of mutual briefings. And judging by the tone and attitudes of Jens Stoltenberg, this is not simply a matter of 'having a cup of tea and talking'.

Washington's grand statements referring to the 'principal' impossibility of dialogue on the normalization of relations with Russia without solving Ukraine's problems are a bit out of tune. That is just such a trend inside NATO now. I mean the situation when the lion's share of anti-Russian rhetoric comes solely from the USA. Moreover, some statements of player characters on the US military-political scene demonstrate the interest in escalating confrontation with Moscow and driving the situation to a critical level. The USA, through its Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, warns its allies of the danger of any advance to contact with Russia without Washington's authorization, threatening even to exclude them from the Alliance if they do not obey.

Could it be stated, based on the above, that there is a split within the North-Atlantic Alliance? Not quite yet, I think. But that is the way things are going. If in the near future the USA does not change negotiation tactics with its European partners, there will be crisis.

The thing is that Europe is tired of following US strict dictates. Countries of old Europe aspire to be more independent. They are long concerned about establishment of own armed forces that could fully substitute NATO. Moreover, a number of influential European politicians even leave open the possibility of creating common Russian-European military defense systems in emphasizing that Russia and Europe are not geopolitical enemies while they face common threats.

It should be understood, however, that in the foreseeable future the changes in relations between NATO and Russia are impossible. And none of the rest of it matters. NATO military alliance is interested in deepening the crisis in the relations with Russia as now it is the only argument that underlines the importance and usefulness of NATO for the Western World. There needs to be an enemy for this military alliance to exist. And now it is Russia.

That is why the United States are so enthusiastic inventing many new threats against which supposedly only North-Atlantic Alliance with its number one 'Russian threat' on the list can protect Europe. Thus, the USA sets the general direction of the NATO anti-Russian vector.

Imperialist NYETO is violating Russia's Monroe Doctrine. Putin is the greatest Russian since Peter the Great, who was also a little rough along the edges. We should unite with forward-looking leaders rather than be dragged down by decadent ones.