‘No matter what Russia does, US neo-cons will always go for Cold War’

Dominant neo-conservatives in the US are pursuing a very anti-Russian policy and seem to be hysterical and delusional in it, Dr. Clifford A. Kiracofe, Jr., former Senior Professional Staff Member of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, told RT.

The US is going to send more non-lethal military aid to Ukraine US Vice President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in a phone conversation.

RT:We've heard from Victoria Nuland and David Cameron last week, both of whom alluded to "keeping the pressure on Russia", including with more sanctions. Why do you think they keep blaming Russia for everything that's happening in Ukraine, and what is your forecast for the future of US-Russia relations?

Dr. Clifford A. Kiracofe:The tendency here in Washington is just to keep the so-called pressure which means economic sanctions which is a form of economic warfare of course, and also the propaganda this information warfare that's another aspect of the so-called pressure. So this information warfare, economic sanctions are part of the package of so-called tools. I mean we can also see NATO is kind of rattling sabers, etc. So a combination of this is coordinated through Washington, the White House, and State Department with allies in Europe. I think the Europeans appear to me to be getting a little bit tired of too much pressure and may not continue the so-called economic sanctions. I think the Europeans are divided. Some Europeans sort of slavishly want to follow Washington. But on the other hand there are some more sensible people in the EU who seek a more independent policy from Washington and therefore would try for bettering relations with Russia after we get through this crisis. So I think the Europeans are divided among themselves and also from Washington. In terms of Washington and the future of Russian relations, the US will certainly continue the Cold War if you wish…actually it’s worse than the Cold War, because it was more stable during the Cold war… But I think Washington will continue along this anti-Russian line and you can see reactions in Congress and commentary from the White House that indicated a continuing hard-line toward Russia.

RT:Germany's Der Spiegel magazine goes as far as asking whether the Americans are trying to thwart the peace efforts promoted by Germany and its EU partners. What do you think?

CK: I think that Der Spiegel article that you mention is accurate, I read it myself, and I think we need to place it within the overall context of the US global policy which is of course to launch these pressures around the world so as to maintain a hegemonic position. And to maintain a hegemonic position the concept is to sort of break-up or reduce the effectiveness of the BRICS countries, and of course to divide Russia from China, and to divide Russia from Europe. It’s part of a global strategy and thus we have to discuss US-Russia relationship in the overall context of the US hegemonic global policy.

READ MORE: Germany slams NATO European commander’s comments on Ukraine as ‘dangerous propaganda’ – Spiegel

Thus the US launched the coup d’état in Ukraine. President Obama has already admitted that he indeed was responsible for this so-called power transition. The coup d’état in Ukraine and the destabilization of Central Europe generally is part of this process to go on with the offensive against Russia, to try to block Russian-European relations. Obviously if we want to move to a new type of international system, a more modern type of international relations in terms of a multi-polar world, polycentric world or a pluralist world of course the NATO alliance is obsolete. But the intention of the US in to continue to promote the NATO alliance, to use it against other powers in the world and to impose hegemony. The opposite would be to have the NATO alliance dissolved… the Warsaw Pact of course has dissolved…and to have as Russian side put forward a Common European House, a project to have a common European space where Russians, the EU could cooperatively work together. I think the main instrumentality for blocking Russia that Washington is trying to use is this obsolete NATO alliance which is increasingly being strengthened and expanded and aimed at Russia. We have to remember that that most Americans have no idea of the geography: “Ukraine border from Moscow? What are we talking about? 300 miles, something like that?”So these issues of Ukraine and the stability in Eastern and Central Europe are extremely sensitive matters for not only Russia but also for the West Europeans which I think is reflected in the Der Spiegel article, it’s reflected in the sentiments of more sophisticated Germans and French and others who have a grasp of the historical context as well. I mean Russia has been a part of Europe for many centuries, how can you isolate Russia from Europe? Of course Russia has an Asian dimension too and an Asian destiny as well. But you cannot isolate Russia historically from Europe - it’s a part of Europe. So the US policies, the neo-conservative point of view - which is dominant in Washington - is fundamentally anti-Russian, no matter what Russia will do the neo-cons will always go for a Cold War or worse with respect to Russia.

READ MORE: ‘We should absolutely consider lethal aid’ to Ukraine – US Gen. Martin Dempsey

RT:Many in the West are calling on Russia to exert more pressure on the rebels in East Ukraine. Do you think the West will be doing the same to the Kiev government, to stop this conflict?

CK: Yes I do. As I said before more sophisticated thoughtful Europeans are concerned about the US perhaps manipulating NATO or the EU and we do have that call from Ms. Nuland about her attitude to the EU. What we have now in Washington… the psychology, the mindset at the moment is almost hysteria with respect to Russia and a very Cold War sentiment here in Washington. And this is being propelled by the very dominant neo-conservative thinking and advisors throughout the Congress and the executive branch. So in my own view while there are Europeans who would like to see a better relationship with Russia as well as with the US, a more equal relationship with the US… I think Europe is split. It’s better for Europe to distance itself at the moment from the US particularly when Washington is so delusional; I’ve never seen it this delusional before, except for the instance of the Iraq war… It’s just this delusion and hysteria in Congress and a very aggressive attitude in the State Department. One would think diplomats would be more diplomatic… I believe that the Europeans are somewhat divided: more thoughtful ones are reflecting the dangers of the Ukrainian crisis potentially causing instability in Europe and moving out of Eastern and Central Europe into Western Europe. I think irrespective of some language of some leadership elements in Europe, I think there is well-known voices have been speaking out in favor of trying to get behind this crisis and repair relations with Russia.

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.