Oleg showed the situation quite well, almost nothing to add.

Generally, the article drastically reminds of the Cold War propaganda (including Soviet) in its most flagrant aggressive way.

History repeats itself.

Alexi, Brussels, Belgium

This is a shameful gesture on the part of the "Old Europe" and of Germany and France in particular. The article has it spot on - the Russians are bullies and the more you accede to their demands, the more they will ask for. This is a big victory for the Russian diplomacy and a sad day for the advancement of democracy in Europe. However, we see the same reluctance to give Ukraine an association agreement with the EU on the part of the same set of states, even though in reality the subsequent integration process may take decades (and may come to nothing as is the case with Turkey). As a Ukrainian, I am beginning to suspect that France and Germany are simply vary of the loss of their clout in Europe and of becoming much less relevant geopolitically. However, if they stay so servile, that will happen anyhow and much sooner. And let us have little doubts, Ukraine does not need security guarantees from Germany or France! They (such guarantees) are worthless as was perfectly demonstrated during the WW2 (in that case by France and the UK). The only country that may step up to the plate (at least in theory) is the US! As for Russia, they have also never been shy about using their military to expand their territory or geopolitical influence. Unfortunately they are unable to provide Ukraine with security guarantees against themselves in this particular case. I had a better opinion of Frau Merkel, but she turned out to be a dedicated heir to the Russian employee Herr Schroder...

Oleksiy, Kyiv, Ukraine

Mr. Kamm tries to convince us that we're aggressive and NATO and especially the US, forcing the alliance expansion, are not.

Some questions:
- how many military bases has the "aggressive" Russia and how many wars it started abroad in last 20 years? (answer: 5, none). Compare with NATO and US.
- what is the military budget of the "aggressive" Russia? (answer: $30 bln, 2,7% of GDP)? And the one of the US? (answer: $525 bln, 3,8% GDP)
- did Reagan and Koll promised to Gorbachev in 1990s a deal: united Germany and no NATO bases to the East from it? So, how 'bout the new US bases in Bulgaria and Romania?
- do we plan to install the missiles near the US border, or the US plan to install them near us? Just remember the Caribbean crisis and YOUR reaction.
- who bomb Yugoslavia w/o UN sanction in 1995? Yes, it proves NATOs peaceful intentions qute well.
- where is the Hussein's WMD?

Oleg, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

The great concern the west should be address today is the growing level of military co-operation between Russia and China. Both powers have already held exploratory military exercizes together and more are planned. The prospect of a Sino/Russian military axis is daunting. The west must work with Mr Medvedev to bring Russia closer to the west and not drive Russia into further military co-operation with China through diplomatic intransigence.

Tony Makara, Manchester,

“Mr Putin is a ballot-rigging autocrat whose natural allies are those, such as the Uzbek dictator Islam Karimov,…”
Wow, no me, no the rest of 80% of Russian population supporting Putin look like uzbek Karimov...
Mr. Kamm should be more consistent in his noble struggle against the “scum of the world” and give at last a special priority to content of his own head.

Vasiliy, Sanct-Peterburg, Russia

NATO is the main world security threat today. You accuse Russia with agressive intentions having NATO realized its aggressive deeds in many globe regions.

Yaroslav, Pyatigorsk, Russia

"for two decades Nato has emphasised pacific intent"

Bombing of defenseless Yugoslavia hardly can be classified as "pacifism", and it happened less than 10 years ago. The view of NATO in Russia then changed overnight once the bombings started, as it became clear that the alliance can and will make aggressive moves in cases it is absolutely sure the victim cannot strike back.

Vadim, Moscow,