Premier Medvedev’s Formula

Viktoria Pansilova, NG’s observer, exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza

An interview with Premier of Russia Dmitry Medvedev by the TV-channel Rusataveli-2, which was given ahead of the fifth anniversary of the August was in South Ossetia, was addressed to a wider audience than Georgian residents. The point is in its part aboutthe reasons for the problems in relations between Moscow and Tbilisi and what prevents them from development. In his answers Medvedev mentioned only Ukraine among CIS countries, along with Georgia. But his views on the facts which worsen relations within the former USSR touch on the whole area, and can be considered as a message to the heads of all former Soviet republics.

The first very necessary condition for normal relations with Russia is the absence of striving to join any anti-Russian blocs. The statement by Medvedev that those who want join NATO should remember that Russia is a powerful country with nuclear potential can be considered as a threat. Russia won’t silently watch how a state which is a member of the alliance which directs missiles at Russian industrial, military, infrastructural, and other facilities appears near its borders. Medvedev emphasized that the Baltic countries’ example was not a good one. “We don’t like their membership in NATO, either,” he admitted.

However, Dmitry Medvedev made it clear that there was a bright side. The Russian Premier thinks that joining NATO gives no benefit to this or that country. Yes, armed forces are improved to the Western standards; yes, modernization of armaments takes place; yes, a support is provided for implementation of the process. However, NATO’s requirements are stiff – up to participation in military campaigns within coalition troops in countries where the new members of the alliance has no interests. If somebody hopes that NATO is to provide support in case of a conflict with Russia, the hopes should be dispersed. The earlier, the better. According to Medvedev, the events of August 2008 proved reasonless of the hopes which some Georgian politicians used had.

The second condition for good relations between Russia and the post-Soviet countries is to realize that Moscow won’t take anybody’s part in interregional conflicts – it was addressed to Armenia and Azerbaijan, and probably to Moldavia. Only negotiations can lead to a desired result – long and firm peace. “It is time to stop thinking that conflicts can be solved in Moscow and Washington. All conflicts should be settled directly on the place,” Medvedev said. Of course peace can be imposed on parties, but it will be quasi stability which could be destroyed by a third party not interested in the situation. Russia is not interested in a war near its borders; moreover, it doesn’t want take part in it. So, peace between confronting sides should be based on the social order of societies.

The third message from Dmitry Medvedev: it is desirable to take part in pro-Russian integration projects. The Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) is not an attempt to revive the USSR – nobody needs this – but it is the most civilized and modern form of good neighboring. The EU is an example because it has integrated economies, common currency, and united values. It doesn’t mean copying of the EU. Of course the former Soviet republics have alternatives to EurAsEC. But in this case they should know that they will turn into a different geostrategic surface. So, Russia won’t provide them with a support, credits, outlet markets for their goods and labour force. “You can be partners with America, but America will never be a neighbor,” Dmitry Medvedev stated.