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Medvedev welcomes sea change in Ukraine
Published: 18 May, 2010, 17:40
Edited: 19 May, 2010, 22:37
TAGS: Arms, Breakaway regions, Conflict, Meeting, Military, NATO, Medvedev, CIS, Russia, Ukraine, Ossetian War, Protest, Politics, Europe, Psychology
President Dmitry Medvedev says Russia won’t be playing battleship in the Black Sea following the extension of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in the Ukrainian city of Sevastopol for another 25 years.
Medvedev noted that its continued presence will, in fact, benefit not only Russia and Ukraine, but also Europe, because it will help to ensure stability and security in the region.
“It is very important to Russia that this base stays [in Sevastopol] because it is an element of a security system. It seems to me it is not in anyone's way, but rather maintains the status quo in the Black Sea basin,” the Russian president said while meeting with students at the Taras Shevchenko National University in Kiev on Tuesday.
NATO at bay
Russia prolonging its lease for its fleet has been seen as a major victory in its efforts to halt NATO eastward expansion. Asked about Russia’s weariness about the alliance’s growth, Medvedev reiterated that Moscow perceives NATO as a partner, yet would prefer it to stay at bay.
“It is not that we are against NATO, we are partners with NATO, but it is still a military bloc, in which Russia does not participate. The closer NATO is to our borders, the less comfortable we are,” Medvedev said.
Medvedev’s remarks came just weeks after Ukrainian newly-elected president Viktor Yanukovich scrapped his country’s earlier plans of joining NATO, which received a positive response from the Kremlin.
Moscow did not waste any time in setting about repairing relations between the two states. On Tuesday, the presidents of Russia and Ukraine signed a joint declaration calling for broader cooperation between the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy.
According to the document, the parties are willing to develop cooperation “to fight against illegal fishing and seafood smuggling,” and are set to improve the exchange of information on the security of navigation in the Black Sea region.
Medvedev also made it clear that he would be glad to see Ukraine joining the Collective Security Treaty Organization – a defense grouping of former Soviet republics whose members perceive aggression against one signatory as an aggression against all and pledge not to join other military alliances.
Playing battleship?
A naval presence in the Black Sea was one of Russia's major tactical advantages in repelling the Georgian incursion into South Ossetia in August 2008, although it raised fears that Moscow may use the base in Ukraine for attacks on third countries. On Tuesday, however, Medvedev sought to sink these concerns.
“Will Russia use its Black Sea Fleet to attack neighboring states? No, it won't. We are a peaceful country,” Medvedev said. The president cited Russia’s obligations within the UN, international conventions and the 1975 Helsinki Act.
“It is a scholastic question whether we will neglect international law. Of course, we won't. It won't benefit Russia. Russia is a large country, which has numerous interests. It will affect us negatively if we start to differ from the rest of the international community,” Medvedev said.
Trimming the sails
While the ratification of the fleet extension lease provoked scuffles and the throwing of eggs in Ukraine’s parliament, in Russia, too, it was met with some resentment, especially the price tag of $40 billion.
“In our country this amount received very mixed reactions,” Medvedev said.
“Some people believe it was a good move because Russia is keeping its base and preserving stability… But others believe we paid too much because, on average, leasing such a base costs significantly less… Americans pay less, NATO pays less.”
Yet, Medvedev said the issue was not up for bargain. “We reasoned that it wasn’t just a quid pro quo – bartering one thing for another. This is an element of our strategic European stability and a pinnacle of our strategic relationship with Ukraine.”
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6 comments
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Jean-Claude Meslin, You "baffle" me! Why does Russia NEED the Collective Security Organization? You denounce Americans as "bullies", yet, you don't believe that "mother" Russia isn't a bully? You make me laugh comrade!
For Europe' stability, it is good to see Russia and Ukraine, having the best possible relations. It should be the same with all former Soviet States. As far as saying that NATO is a partner; there Mr Medvedev is dreaming. This could be possible if all US personnels and military equipments were removed from WHOLE of Europe (including the British Islands). Russian troupes never went Westward as an aggressor; so NATO is useless. In the present time, it is just an American arms, set to do the US dirty work. I have difficulties to understand the Russian President sweet talk and kindness toward those who participate in America real goal and purpose: a World totally under control (mainly its resources). Some previous comments told me that Mr Medvedev actions are called: Diplomacy. Sorry but I do not agree; when you talk to a bully; to be respected, you must use tough language. This does not mean to be aggressive and impolite! There is no other way; and I am convinced that the Future will prove that I am right... Best Regards... Jean-Claude Meslin
Are insinuating Americans aren't bullies? How does Meslin's comments offend you, a man who has worked for America's Defense Industry. Russia has been contracting in size as they settled border disputes with China, now with Ukraine, and continue working with Baltic states. Maybe you will state Russia is a bully for moving former Soviet Republics to market price for gas, away from their Soviet Era subsidized economies. Maybe, you'll state Russia had a hand trying to stifle color revolutions, which is opposite as they were brought forth due to NGO's and other Western organizations sponsored by The National Endowment for Democracy. They brought economic strife, cooruption, and tyranny under the guise of democracy. CSTO is not needed by Russia for its security, but a tool for inter-relationships. Many former Soviet Republics are trying to rebuild the cooperation and economic sphere the of the Soviet Union, not the Soviet Union itself. The CSTO is useful in combating extremism installed into the region by the CIA used to destabilize the Soviet Union. Also to protect against drug trafficking, something else the CIA uses to fund itself and US Army is overwatching it in Afghanistan. Add that more US base expansions into about 140 nations out of the 193 nations of the world. The US government has taken the US constitution and wiped themselves with it. US isn't supposed to have a standing Army unless time of war. Democracy itself is now proclaimed the best government even though US was created as a Consitutional Republic. Peoples rights are guaranteed, but they are forfeited in the name of domestic security. CSTO are with Russian neighbors and haven't an expeditionary force like NATO is in Afghanistan. It is more like how US works with Canada. Since the Spanish American War, US has decided to be an Empire and moved away from its founding ideals. So you can choose to be baffled and laugh all you want or you can make the world a better place.