... ago) to undertake a dialogue of equals with it. This stalemate will not break for the foreseeable future, even if by some miracle one succeeds in removing the main obstacle to Russian-European cooperation — to wit, the ongoing conflict in and around Ukraine.
Paradoxically, the only realistic path for a Russian return to Europe today is via Asia. In other words, if Russia cannot effectuate a return to Europe — on acceptable terms — on its own, then it may only be through the creation, jointly with China, India and other Asia partners, of a ‘Greater Eurasia’ that Russia can acquire the expanded negotiating positions and potential it would need for its eventual dialogue with Brussels.
The idea of a Russian ‘pivot to the East’ — as it were — ...
... soldiers from Nato countries, as this would be opposed categorically by Russia. It cannot, equally, be made up of soldiers from the countries of the former Soviet space (today’s Collective Security Treaty Organisation), as this would be opposed by Ukraine. This leaves Asia as the lone continent able to supply peacekeeping troops that would be respected by, and acceptable to, both the Russians and the Ukrainians.
Which countries in Asia? Answer: Likely India. Perhaps Indonesia. Chinese participation is not to be excluded. What is critical is that both Moscow and Kiev see the peacekeepers as neutral and professional. In the case of India, in particular, there is conspicuous historical sympathy among ...
... financial losses due to the discontinued Russian lease will be felt but not too severe. Until last year, the leasing fee amounted to $ 700,000 a year, and only rose to two million in early 2012. However, reputational damage will be more severe, since all Ukraine's current and potential partners in military-technical cooperation must surely have drawn the proper conclusions.
1
. BMPD, 02/19/.2012:
Indian NITKA under Construction in Goa.
