Russia warns Ukraine it will retaliate over Nato
Thursday, 11 September 2008
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Russia has given its most explicit warning to date of the kind of punishment that Ukraine can expect if the former Soviet republic continues along the path towards membership of Nato.
"The expansion of Nato is seen in Russia as a hostile action. We will never accept this. We cannot block expansion of Nato but we can take measures to ensure our security," the Russian ambassador to Britain, Yuri Fedotov, said in an interview.
Ukraine's pro-Western government of President Viktor Yushchenko is campaigning to take his country into the EU and Nato. Russia's fierce opposition to Nato expansion on its borders has prompted fears of a possible military conflict with Ukraine that would dwarf the war in Georgia.
The envoy pointed out that Ukraine – a country of 46 million people – and neighbouring Russia were tightly linked historically, culturally and economically. "The borders are virtually open," he said.
"Should this country become a Nato member... it means that we should take some measures to protect ourselves, and this may have an impact on this multitude of relations, ties and connections. It might not only affect trade and economic relations but also people-to-people contacts," he said. The ambassador would not go into further details but said: "I hope that common sense will prevail and that Nato countries will think twice."
Mr Yushchenko's own government is divided on the issue and collapsed last week as a result of tensions over the Georgia war.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has already served notice that Ukraine faces a 100 per cent increase in gas prices from next January. But the obvious flashpoint for any conflict would be over the Crimean Peninsula, the home of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Asked whether Russia would take military action against Ukraine, Mr Fedotov stressed that "actually Russia had no plans to take such action in Georgia". "But this action was precipitated by this stupid military intervention against the peaceful population in Tskhinvali."
He added: "I hope that people would take some lessons from what happened in South Ossetia."
Turning to relations with Britain, he blamed the British Government for the deterioration in ties since the expulsion of Russian diplomats in July 2007 over the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko. He said Britain's decision last week to bar military pipers from a Red Square festival was "awkward" but unlikely to cause a further downturn.
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Why is it that every time we don’t agree with someone, people start to talk about going to war? Like it’s a game of cards. War should only be used as a last resort for defence only & not to get our own way
Also think we should build more nuclear power plants so we don’t depend on others for power. It’s not nice but we use it & it’s got to come from somewhere
Posted by Dr White | 13.09.08, 03:00 GMT
Dr Green,
You may be correct on some of the points you make, but equally you are probably wrong to assert that "the British Army couldn't beat the IRA". The most subtle of victories provides space for the deluded loser......dream on.
Posted by Lauren | 12.09.08, 21:50 GMT
Dr Green, your mood of fear and capitulation is exactly what the Russians want. Are you saying that we should let Russia away with anything, just because you don't want your gas turned off, and because Miliband come across as ineffective (I cannot argue with your assessment of Miliband).
It sounds to me that you have coupled with the thinking of your friends in Greece and become one with a nation that has a wonderful history but holds no real significance in the modern world, other than being a nice place to visit. We either face Russia down now, by doing our best to cause as much stress to their financial situation as possible, or have them as our masters in the future. Maybe you're over 60, so the future is not as important to you in Athens?
Posted by stuart | 12.09.08, 01:37 GMT
Dr Green people like you worry me.You obviously have no conception of military facts whatsoever,and by saying some of the things you did you have also told us a great deal about your politic.
Posted by Robert | 11.09.08, 22:23 GMT
Russia under Putin has become aggressive again. Nato is the only hope these republics have to maintain their freedom. Russia can no longer delude itself that because it has more tanks that it can take what it wants. If Nato goes to war with Russia they will gain air superiority in a few weeks and then the tanks become useless. The whole thing then becomes a matter of rather or not Russia thinks it is worth a nuclear war. We appear to be in a political freeze again with Russia. So by the threat of war Russia plans to issolate these countries from Nato and then find "common sense" reasons to invade each and every one of them. We cannot allow this piece by piece chess game to continue. Without delay move forces into stategic posititions and THEN grant full membership to all countries that desire admission. Our position must be strong and clear or we will have no choice but to watch millions of people be subjugated to Russian aggression. We must be ready to fight or just sit by.
Posted by Rick | 11.09.08, 18:16 GMT
As an Ulsterman living in Athens, and dependent on Russian gas, I cannot understand the current position of the British government in the Caucasus region. Does the British foreign secretary, David Miliband, wish to take the UK into a second Crimean War? The Ukraine and Georgia should never be offered NATO membership for the simple reason that no American or British forces could ever be used to defend them as required by the NATO Charter. The British army couldn't beat the IRA nor subdue Basra so how could it take on the might of the Russian army in and around the Black Sea? "Miliband the Mild", as he's known in this part of the world after his non-perfomance at the recent NATO summit in Bucharest, needs a remedial lesson in British history before he commits more blunders. At least they've only been verbal blunders to date! Please keep him at home and well away from
SE Europe and the Caucasus.
Posted by Dr David Green | 11.09.08, 15:42 GMT
what Russia needs is bankruptcy. World need to know that if Russia has money they aggressive to neighbors, this is only trouble to everyone. If no one want to be with them it has a reason for it. Russians should be the one think twice why every neighbor country tries to avoid there influence. If you are in side of Russia only promise or perspective is loosing freedom, loosing statehood, territories. Corruption, no freedom of free speech, ignorance of simple human right, slavery those are perspectives for countries under of influence of Russian.
Fascism is flourishing in Russia and if EU can not or will not admit that, they will be in trouble as well. They need to wake up from deep sleep and act fast.
Posted by laura | 11.09.08, 14:19 GMT