Western press on anti-Russian sanctions and NATO policy

By Vestnik Kavkaza

Daily Mail today is writing about sanctions against Russia in its article “Despite pressure, EU's sanctions against Russia could last.” EU sanctions against Russia over the crisis in Ukraine are cutting both ways and pinching some big European companies. But economic relief isn't likely any time soon, diplomats and analysts say: EU rules make the sanctions tough to overturn. France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine are trying to set up talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, toward easing the tensions behind sanctions that have hit Russia's economy, sent the ruble sinking and affected European companies like banks, oil companies, machinery makers and food giants. European Union rules complicate any attempt to modify the sanctions.

“Leaving combat operations in Afghanistan behind, NATO is shifting its focus to Europe in 2015 and the creation of its new ultra-rapid-reaction force, designed as a deterrent to Russia”, writes Daily Mail. The multinational force, often called the "spearhead," was ordered into existence by President Obama and other NATO leaders in September so it could be deployed to reinforce alliance members feeling threatened by the actions or ambitions of Vladimir Putin's Russia. "NATO's biggest challenge in 2015 will be focusing on and advancing its core mission — ensuring the security of the alliance's members and promoting stability in Europe," said Michael Brown, dean of the Elliot School of International Affairs at George Washington University.

"This will be a challenge because the alliance's leaders have taken collective defense for granted for many years, because Russia has developed an array of unconventional tactics that will require new and unconventional responses, and because NATO will continue to be involved in training activities in Afghanistan," Brown said.

In reaction to Moscow's actions, Obama and the other NATO leaders approved a Readiness Action Plan to upgrade alliance capabilities. "Russia has to see that NATO is resolved to defend its values," Terlikowski said. "And the core value of NATO is solidarity: attack one member, and the whole alliance, including the U.S., will respond," Daily Mail writes.

The Guardian published today an article which says that while in the east, China and Japan are flexing their muscles, further west, Vladimir Putin is trying to show that Russia is again a military power to be reckoned with despite its serious economic problems.

Russia is developing a new cruise missile which the US says violates a 1987 nuclear treaty. The Obama administration is considering whether to respond by redeploying tactical nuclear cruise missiles in Europe. Pentagon officials say they are concerned, too, about reports that Putin is planning to deploy short-range nuclear weapons in Crimea.

The Washington Post writes about Navalny’s case. In article called “In latest challenge to Putin, Russian activist Navalny breaks house arrest“ it is said that Russia’s most prominent opposition activist announced on his Web site Monday that he was breaking his house arrest, his latest open challenge to authorities since a Moscow court convicted him and his brother of fraud last week.

Calling the terms of his detention “illegal,” Alexei Navalny, a flamboyant critic of President Vladi¬mir Putin, posted a picture of an electronic monitoring bracelet he said he cut off with kitchen scissors. He said he was within his rights to “refuse to fulfill the requirements” of his court-imposed home imprisonment.

Moscow police told Interfax that they would return Navalny to his home if they find he has left his apartment — and if federal authorities instruct them to do so.