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February 12, 2007

Icy blast from Putin hints at a new Cold War

Gerard Baker, US Editor

If the US Administration didn’t have enough to worry about, given the current state of the world, it spent much of the weekend wondering whether Moscow had declared another Cold War.

On Saturday President Putin delivered the most aggressive verbal assault on the US and its European allies that a Russian leader has uttered since the Cold War ended 16 years ago. In a speech to the annual Munich Security Conference that evoked memories of the days when the two superpowers threatened to wipe each other and much of the world off the map, Mr Putin attacked what he called the “illegitimate” US foreign policy of the past few years.

In unusually brusque and undiplomatic language, he said the US had “overstepped its boundaries in every sphere”, had fuelled a new nuclear arms race and was aggressively destabilising the Middle East.

This was more than just another familiar, if blunt, recitation of the supposed crimes of the Bush Administration. Speaking to an audience that included European leaders and Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, as well as Americans, Mr Putin attacked Nato. He said the inclusion of former Soviet satellite states in the Atlantic alliance had destabilised Europe and threatened Russia. “Against whom is this expansion directed?” he asked. Not since Nikita Khrushchev banged his shoe on the table at the United Nations in 1960 has an international gathering heard such an icy blast from Moscow’s leadership.

US officials were careful to play down the unsettling new Russian tone. Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, speaking at the conference yesterday, gently mocked Mr Putin’s performance, saying that it “almost filled me with nostalgia for a less complex time. Almost”. In fact he went out of his way to sound a strikingly emollient tone, admitting US mistakes in the last few years. For a century, he said, the US had enjoyed a reputation of being a force for good in the world but he acknowledged that some of that had been lost in recent years and that the US had work to do to repair its reputation.

John McCain, the Arizona senator and leading contender for the Republican nomination in next year’s presidential election, who has been unsparing in his criticism of Mr Putin’s authoritarian tendencies in the past, was restrained, merely taking issue with Mr Putin’s characterisation of the modern world as a “unipolar” one. US officials noted pointedly that it was Europeans, including some leaders of the eastern European countries that used to live under the Russian heel, who were present at the weekend conference, who were most angered by Moscow’s new tone. German government officials were privately furious with the Russian leader’s remarks.

Coming as it did on German soil, just minutes after Chancellor Merkel had given a warm diplomatic overview of transatlantic relations, Mr Putin’s speech was considered a breach of the normal diplomatic protocols. It was more than discourteous, however. The Munich conference, the most important annual transatlantic security policy forum, originated in the darkest days of the Cold War.

Chancellor Merkel, who lived under Soviet domination of eastern Europe as an East German citizen in the 1980s, is under no illusions about the political instincts of Mr Putin, the former KGB agent. But she and her aides had not imagined that the Russian leader would deliver such a blunt attack in the midst of her efforts to improve relations among European countries and were puzzled by the tone. US officials believe the speech was intended to represent Russia as a muscular new power in the world, after its long decline and humiliation since Cold War days. Bolstered by increased energy prices in the past five years, a continuing healthy economic expansion and signs that its old adversary in Washington has run into serious global trouble, the Russian leadership seems eager to show that it is back as an actor on the world stage.

The sudden apparent deterioration in US-Russian relations, especially with a man of whom President Bush has spoken so warmly, did not seem to alarm Americans, however.

The Munich event has been dominated for the past few years by transatlantic splits as the US found itself under attack from its old allies over the war in Iraq. Throughout that time, Donald Rumsfeld, the former defence secretary, played the role of principal villain at the conference.

This year Europeans were presented with a new villain, and perhaps in the process were reminded that, for all its faults, America may not after all really be the most threatening nation on earth.

To Chahal : I could not agree with you more. Include Britian France and Germany into that mix. From my perspective and the people I know, Britian should sever all ties with the U.S.and ally themselves with their more natural allies in the east. I , along with a great many of my countrymen could do with a rest from the constant vitrolic comments from the British media and the British public . It would surely give you someone else to blame for all the evils in the world.
To Michael in St. Petersburg , Yes, you are FREEEEEEEEE! Who in the hell stood up to the USSR during the cold war to give you that Freedom ?! England?France?Germany?

Jay, Greenville, U.S.A. , S.C

Bigotary is a particular specialisation of most in the West. Who has any doubt that the Bush invasion of Iraq was foolish, illegal and against UN policy. It has done enormous harm to the world stability and to the US international standing. Also notwithstanding that Saddam was a cruel dictator, this was the only 'Mullah free' regime in the entire Muslim world. Only one super power is a great danger to world stability. The sooner Russia, China and India together create a counter balance the better for world stability.

D Chahal, London, UK

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am sure that in an objective sense beauty is something most people agree on and most people can look at Russia and America and decide if Putin is correct or wrong. I am of opinion that America still is not like Putin believes or says what he believes. I have lived in both Europe and America. I am sure Russia still has its problems and criticizing America will not alter Russia's problems. Just like beauty the people of the world will know the truth in judging both countries. America has stabilized the world. The problems with islamics seemed to have stopped in his country and they are now immigrating from Russia to Iraq so Putin should be grateful to USA and Nato for handling the Russian past foreign policy problems and failures

don, glendale, California

They all frighten me.

Peter Donson, SOUTHWELL,Notts.,UK, UK

Dear poor Americans ! We (the Ukrainians) need not your protection from Russia and Putin. I want to be protected from american "culture" and uncontrolled power and anti-Russian phobias.

Lily, Feodosia, Ukraine

I agree with mr. Hel opinion and I can confirm his information. I wonder why such a great country as Great Britain is following the US policy in Europe and in the rest of the world. And there is one thing I want to add is that there is the same stable democracy in Russia as in yhe other leading Europian countries. Im FREEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michael, St. Petersburg, Russia

Putin was largely right about US foreign policy in the middle east under the Bush administration. But, that doesn't alter the fact that he is still an old Bolshevik trying desperately to hang on to the perks of power in the same old Bolshevik ways.

Did anyone think they would "Go quietly into that good night"?

Jim Walton, Washington DC,

Yes, they have their own way of life in that bastion of liberty! So it isn't surprising that the former dominating power (who subjected hundreds of millions to its oppresive rule and is trying its hand at a resurgence with a renewed authoritarianism) is threatened by US policy because we seek to integrate and protect former slave states to Russia from the fantasies of Putin and his eventual successors.

Pepe, NYC, USA

Mr Bakers of this world are the reason Russia is never fairly portrayed in the UK media. I can read Mr Putin's speech in Russian, and there is nothing agressive about it - the speech is well-balanced and giving the Russian view on the current world events. There are some quite thought-provoking parts in there. Is there anywhere I can find the English translation of Putin's speech?

Hel, UK,

It would have been a more interesting article had you quoted the global view of President Putins speech instead of selectively editing to create the illusion of a return to the "Raging Bear" hysteria. I also think it would be interesting if he (President Putin) were managing our economy and foreign policy instead of the current set of necocons. I always wondered why anyone would assert that free media needs control but I do not any longer. It seems the keywords of honesty, integrity and accurate reporting are long long forgotten.

Keith, Detroit, USA

Ouch! But do leave your glass house before your next utterance, Mr Putin!

Edward Willhoft, Epsom, UK

What's Russian for "yadda, yadda, yadda"?

T. J. Cassidy, Arlington, Va., U.S.A.

Richard from Ireland writes " Europeans can no longer pretend that Russia is a normal European country".
OK, Putin's the bad guy, Russia is the evil empire.
I'll be the last person to support Putin, BUT...
In the 1920-s Germany was lying in ruins, devastated, humiliated, suffering from hurt pride. It survived. It made itself "great". It was eventually punished, but not without cosiderable loss of lives on all sides.
By alienaiting Russia now wouldn't "the civilised nations" be making the same mistake again? Shouldn't they lend a helping hand, before it is too late, to the healthier part of the Russian nation (not all the people are freaks, you know, even in Russia)? If they (the civilised nations) don't do that, wouldn't they bitterly regret it, in the end?

Dana, Moscow, Russia

Richard from Limerick,

What exactly is "Russia's energy threat"? Please enlighten. Also, what exactly is it that Ireland "manufacturers or invents" apart from EU subsidies?

For your information, the Russians will hardly be asking you for handouts "the next time Russians starve" - Russia sits on the world's third biggest currency reserve of c.$300bn.

Michael, London, UK

I could not have said better about the US than Mc from Ireland. Now, how long Europe will be hiding their eyes from the obvious? Full marks to Mr Putin.

Mild Critique, UK,

Yes, America's foreign policy has been ignorant, aggressive and expansionist, but so has Russia's. In 1990-92 people celebrated the end of the threat of the Cold War, but both superpowers are still acting as puppeteers in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere to achieve their own selfish aims. Now China is also getting involved as it's economic growth has gone off the chart in the last 15 years. The problem with all three of these superpowers is that people hardly ever leave their native country to get to appreciate other countries around the world and cannot understand any politics except for their own. All three must stop trying to face each other down and using other nations as conduits, and the peoples of these countries must realise this, or hundreds of thousands of innocent lives will again be lost

Gavin Le Boutillier, Hull, East Yorkshire

Somehow, I cannot bring myself to dispute any of Mr. Putin's comments. And I know that there are meny here in the U.S.A. that not only would not dispute them, but back him up on all points.

James Doles, New Orleans, Louisiana

Europeans can no longer pretend that Russia is a normal European country. It has an absolute hunger to be Europes master.

The sooner Europe invests in nuclear power, therby countering Russia's energy threat the better.

As for Russian economic power, it manufactures nothing, invents nothing and services nothing and the working population is decreasing by 1 million people per year. The future is bleak.

The massive loans of the 90's won't be repeated the next time Russians starve.

Richard, Limerick, Ireland

Thank God for Putin. Every word he said was truth. I am a Pole. Merkel and the Polish twins are stuck in the past. They are destroying our future, that of Total Europe and the European Defence Force. It ain't 1946 anymore.

Shirley Jackson, Oliver, BC, Canada

This former KGB agent just simply joined the overcrowded field of the Anti-Bush demagogies in order to score political points. He figured if everybody else (including so-called allies) bashing Bush and America, Why can't I do it?
Good move!!
Bravo Mr. Putin!

steve, Allentown, USA

Vladimir Putin, in his speech at the conference showed intelligently duplicity æèäîìàñîíñêèõ ruling elites of Europe and the United States. He delighted and strongly attempted to mask them, and made it clear that Russia is a peace-loving sovereign State, that the United States never fail denying independence to make in the colony. We praise God that he sent the Russia of President Vladimir V. Putin.

Vova Petrov, Khabarovsk, RUSSIA

Putin's regime is both internally repressive and externally expansionist. Unlike the Washington Post, Russian newspapers are not free to criticize their government's foreign policy, which includes the de facto occupation of parts of Moldova and Georgia and the attempt to bring down unfriendly neighboring governments through the use of predatory natural gas prices.

If I lived in Europe, I would be concerned by the Russian government, which already controls Europe's energy supply and wants to use it to gain control of Europe's political life as well. Contrary to the fantasies of EU elites, Russia will not be the puppet of the EU in its sparring with America. Russia is more likely to become Europe's master.

Matt, Northampton, Massachusetts, USA

President Putin's blunt speech has been completely right. Most Russians are sure that the speech is our proper answer to the U.S. aggressive policy towards Russia, that is the NATO's expansion which is a sheer violation of previous agreements and various efforts to influence future developments in Russia. We in Russia are proud to have such a prominent leader. Please don't forget that Russia has its OWN way of life.

Anatole, Moscow, Russia

"and was aggressively destabilising the Middle East."

Like the Middle East has been stable in any of our lifetimes!

Perhaps he is missing that oil-for-food booty the US spoiled for him?

Vic Coffey, Zebulon, USA NC

Putin's frustration over a 'unipolar' world reveals his wish to play an active role in a 'bipolar' world. Given his authoritarian regime, the kind of role he wants to play is anybody's guess.

alok sinha, new delhi, india

Forget about Mr Putin'so "tone", it's illuminating that Gerard Baker couldn't provide an objection to the substance of any of Mr Putin's statements.

Michael, London, UK

So, China and Somalia are "wrong" for perpetrating the "inhumane" act of executing murderous terrorists. Meanwhile the acts of the Bush administration in invading a sovereign state illegally, supporting an illegal occupation of Palestine land, torture in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, illegal kidnaps of CIA targets on foreign soil, the facilitation of shia-sunni massacres, and such, are "supposed" crimes? Typical of the hypocritical UK/US media .. and we complain that the Chinese media is state controlled? How different is ours?

Pete, Cov,

And all this fom a Pm whose country has never seen democracy, and whose elections are a sham.......run by
a bunch of oligarchs and mafioso who have left the
bulk of their nation penniless, and who don't even
have a welfare state!!!!

Mc , ireland,

Characterization of Putin speech as brusque is deeply striking me. Why "Ladies and Gentlemen, we got him" on Saddam's Hussein capture does sound polite? Or the words of The First Lady on 'underprivileged' in Oklahoma city? Antirussian hysteria has very specific goals - not to let Russia to become world player, to make the third world country out of Russia, to divide Russia into more independent states and finally, wishfully, to wipe Russia out of the map. The actual problem for russophobes is that now Russia's adversaries may only watch as Russia gains more and more economical and diplomatic strength.

Vladimir Fedorov, Minsk, Belarus

We should have a Save-Energy Campaign as in the 1970s with the added benefit of bringing regimes buoyant on oil revenues to heel. Too much is wasted and saving energy is far more vital than building windmills

TomTom, Leeds, England

May I ask the editor why he plased such an odd phrase: "for all its faults, America may not after all really be the most threatening nation on earth".

Did Mr.Putin threaten someone in Munich? Did he promise to start a new war?

Such an odd article, ladies and gentelmen, as usual Russia (oh, ye, thanks to oil prices) is showing its muscles and threatens trully democratic West.

May be we all should learn how to listen and not only to teach others?

Mikkel, the Netherlands,

One might argue that there is a difference between President Putin's worries and Brian Lewis's. This is that by being more enthusiastically engaged in the workings of the UN Security Council, the Russian Federation could have done much to avert the situations President Putin finds distasteful in the world today. Neither I nor Brian Lewis ever had that opportunity.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

If you take a look at comments on, say, the Washington Post you will read much more virulent attacks on current US foreign policy. What President Putin said needs to be said and if it doesn’t come from him, it will come from President Hu Jintao.

Nicholas Wibberley, Neuvic-Entier, France

It may be inconvenient for Western politicians to have to listen to a lecture from Mr Putin, who after all comes from a dubious Russian background and suffered in Afghanistan too, but is he not echoing the criticism of the USA and the UK that is troubling so many of us today!

Brian Lewis, Manila, Philippines

The United states during the cold war was acting as the saviour of the world, i guss this time around , Puttin is trying to turn the table around. i f i was in his shoes, i would as the same question i.e "Against whom is NATO expansion directed? There is no more USSR, there is only Russa.

Moses Nyara, Townsville, Australia

I think Mr. Putin has the right as a leader in this world to speak his mind. Fourtanly a lot of Amercians do agree with him.

mike, pine bluff, arkansas

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Gerard Baker

Gerard Baker is United States Editor and an Assistant Editor of The Times. He joined in 2004 from the Financial Times, where he had spent over ten years as Tokyo correspondent and Washington Bureau Chief. His weekly oped column appears on Fridays