Participants of a recent meeting of the Council Russia – NATO are unable to resolve their differences, writes Stratfor. According to the analytical center, although the Russian side has gone on some concessions on the Ukrainian crisis, it refuses to change its position on Syria and is actively investing in nuclear forces, causing concern of the Pentagon.
In the light of the stand-off between Moscow and the West a meeting of Council Russia – the NATO has left mixed feelings, says the American analytical Agency Stratfor. Although the negotiations took longer than expected, the parties were unable to come to specific conclusions. Representatives of the Kremlin and the Western military bloc noted a significant divergence of views on such issues as the Syrian conflict and the build-up of NATO forces near the Russian borders.
Despite the unproductive meetings, it is remarkable in itself. Russia showed that she is ready to compromise, especially on the Ukrainian crisis. Representatives from DND and LNR announced the change of date of local elections. This deferral would allow more time for negotiations. The West and Kiev insist that the vote must be postponed until the implementation of paragraphs of the Minsk agreement concerning security. Undoubtedly, the Russian authorities have contributed to or even demanded that the leadership of the people’s Republic postponed the election, the newspaper believes.
In addition, the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced that in a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin they agreed on the potential release of Hope Savchenko. According to this preliminary agreement, Moscow will exchange the Ukrainian pilot on two Russians, imprisoned in Ukraine.
“It would be a significant political step towards Kiev and the West, says Stratfor. – Although this Treaty has not yet been finalized, it may be indicative that Russia is prepared to go to even greater compromise not only by Ukrainian, but also other issues“.
But the good will of Russia, according to the publication, confined to this. Discussing the exchanges of prisoners with Kiev and postponing elections in the Donbass, Moscow has put pressure on the West in other regions. For example, Russian warplanes continue to “pester” us ships and aircraft in such strategically important regions as the Baltic and the Black sea. NATO urged Russia to cease such tactics, discussion of which has become a key issue of the meeting held.
In addition, the newspaper claims that the Russian authorities also continue to take significant military involvement in the Syrian conflict, strengthening the position of Bashar al-Assad in defiance of the us-backed rebels and jihadist groups. Despite repeated requests from the United States to reconsider its policy toward Damascus, Moscow continues to support the offensive of the government army. If Russia is to participate in large-scale battles, you will be involved in another influx of refugees from Syria to Europe, heightening tensions on the continent.
Russia also understands that it can be compared to the power of its conventional forces with the US or NATO, so actively invested in nuclear power, causing alarm in Washington. At the Pentagon there is a growing fear that Moscow may not comply with the Treaty 3 and the Treaty on the elimination of intermediate-range and shorter-range. There is even concern that if tensions with the West continue, Putin will approve testing of nuclear weapons. Such developments, though it seems unlikely at the moment, will put an end to twenty years of efforts at arms control.
“In a stalemate with the West, Russia apparently decided to resort to a strategy of carrot and stick, it tightens the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine and extends the buildup of conventional military forces. Testing its influence on the plans of NATO, Moscow will go on a symbolic, conciliatory concessions, and to put forward strict requirements. And negotiations between Russia and the West, very likely, will continue to occur in a similar vein, being accompanied by pitfalls and opportunities for both parties, “concludes Stratfor.
Photo: Reuters
