The Natonal Interest: Vladimir Putin in 2007 warned about the crisis of relations with NATO
Photo: Kremlin Pool / Global Look Press
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the Munich Conference in 2007, warned that Moscow needed security guarantees from the United States and NATO countries, journalist Ted Carpenter recalled in his article for The Natonal Interest. However, the author of the material notes, this message was not understood, which led to a crisis in relations between Russia and the West as a result.
According to Carpenter, Putin’s speech was supposed to “dispel all doubts about whether Russia considers NATO’s policy in general and the alliance’s inexorable march to the east in particular provocative and threatening.” He notes that then the Russian leader warned his Western colleagues to change course, but they found the tone of his speech “belligerent” and not conducive to cordial relations between East and West. However, the NATO member states themselves have done enough to inflame the situation, the journalist noted.
“The shockingly presumptuous interference in the internal political affairs of Ukraine in 2013-2014 in order to help demonstrators overthrow the elected pro—Russian president of Ukraine was the most brazen provocation and caused a surge in tension,” Carpenter points out. In his opinion, the situation worsened in the future, because “Washington poured weapons into Ukraine and treated this country as a military client.”
The author of the article warned of serious consequences of the short-sightedness of Western politicians if Russia’s demands for security guarantees are ignored again. “The United States and its allies are driving Russia into a corner, and this is extremely unwise if the goal is to avoid a war with a well—armed great power,” Carpenter concluded.
Earlier, NATO revealed the timing of the response to Russia’s security proposals. According to the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, a written response will be sent this week. This will be done in parallel with the USA.
According to Bloomberg, in their response to the proposals on security guarantees, the US authorities will list Russia’s actions that cause concern in Europe. At the same time, the answer will not contain a detailed discussion of Russian requirements. Instead, Washington plans to list areas in which Western allies can solve Russia’s problems.
