Hasbara Buster
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Washington, Moscow: Friends-turned-foes
By Nasser Namvar
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) & his US counterpart Barack Obama
Once Moscow’s alter ego, Uncle Sam has recently done an about-face and turned against his bosom buddy over Russia’s so-called interference in Ukraine.
The two world heavyweights dug in for a standoff when Pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by the West-leaning opposition.
The war of words between US and Russian presidents was triggered by a fiery speech by Obama who condemned the results of a referendum in the Crimean Peninsula to secede from Ukraine and rejoin Russia.
Nearly 97 percent of the Crimea residents who took part in the plebiscite voted to break away from Ukraine and become part of Russia.
In his inflammatory speech, Obama fulminated against the Kremlin for what he called “interference” in Ukraine, and flexed some muscles as a clear sign of saber-rattling.
"We're making it clear that there are consequences for their actions," Obama said, and warned, "If Russia continues to interfere in Ukraine, we stand ready to impose further sanctions."
So far, the US and EU have slapped sanctions against dozens of Russian and Ukrainian individuals over Moscow’s Ukraine policy.
"We're not going to rule out individuals or rule out actions except to say that there will be costs imposed on Russia, additional costs imposed on Russia if Russia does not change direction here," Obama underscored.
As expected, Putin did not hesitate to answer back. In a much-anticipated speech, the Russian leader alarmed his American opposite number over the intrusive approach he has adopted vis-à-vis Moscow.
“They are constantly trying to drive us into a corner because we have an independent position, because we maintain it and because we tell it like it is and don’t engage in hypocrisy. But there is a limit to everything. And with Ukraine, our Western partners have crossed the line, playing the bear and acting irresponsibly and unprofessionally,” said Putin.
The Russian president also reminded the West of its encroachment upon Russia’s “backyard.”
“NATO remains a military alliance, and we are against having a military alliance making itself at home right in our own backyard; in our historic territory.”
Putin also warned that Russia will respond to the Western threats in kind.
“Some Western politicians are already threatening us with not just sanctions, but also the prospect of increasingly serious problems on the domestic front. …We will respond to them accordingly.”
With the two superpowers locking horns, it goes without saying it was the West that touched off the conflict. And the Western double standards are at play here like always.
That’s right. Washington’s opposition to Crimea’s secession from Ukraine is a potent example of the US’ hypocrisy.
Not only did the White House not oppose Kosovo’s secession from Serbia in the late 1990s, it supported the move as well. The US also expressed no opposition to Slovakia’s independence from Czechoslovakia in 1993. Furthermore, Washington was effervescently ecstatic about the break-up of Sudan and the creation of South Sudan in 2011. US politicians even showed some proclivity to break up Iraq into Kurdish, Sunni and Shiite states. And very recently, the White House seems quite disinterested when it comes to the Northern Ireland’s talk of independence from the UK.
Incontrovertibly, Washington does not care whether or not a country is broken up. What counts is whether the secession serves the interests of the US and its Western allies. Any break-up of nations, rejoining, secession and the like, will be okay as far as Washington’s interests are not jeopardized.
But why is the US so indignant at Crimea becoming part of Russia? The results of the referendum clearly show that the residents of the peninsula have joined, or rather rejoined, Russia of their own volition. Moreover, it is a domestic matter, and has nothing to do with the US. Then why is it that Washington is poking its nose in it?
The US and its Western allies were so perturbed at Crimea’s secession that they were swift to tighten the noose on Putin’s inner circle.
With a stroke of the pen, EU leaders sealed the core elements of a political association agreement with the new pro-Western Ukrainian rulers, and at the same time, gave the thumbs-up to more restrictions against individuals politically close to Putin.
Crimea’s having rejoined Russia would expand Moscow’s sphere of influence. That, no doubt, dismays the US, which seeks to maintain a secure foothold in the region. Russia’s military presence on a peninsula adjacent to Ukraine where self-proclaimed West-leaning rulers are currently at the helm would indisputably pose a challenge to the interests of the US and its allies. The US wants to be the sole superpower in the world and wouldn’t like to see its authority challenged. Nevertheless, the recent developments on the Crimean peninsula have tipped the balance against Washington.
On the other hand, Russia’s taking control of Crimea would curb NATO’s eastward expansion and keep the military alliance at bay as it tries to deploy its forces in Russia’s backyard. And the West wouldn’t exactly jump for joy at this.
However the events will play out, the United States, knowing that Russia is a force to be reckoned with, is unlikely to take a leap in the dark. That means the chances of Washington provoking a military confrontation with Russia are very slim. Nonetheless, Washington-Moscow relations remain tense at this point, and no possibility could be ruled out.
PressTV - Washington, Moscow: Friends-turned-foes
By Nasser Namvar
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) & his US counterpart Barack Obama
Once Moscow’s alter ego, Uncle Sam has recently done an about-face and turned against his bosom buddy over Russia’s so-called interference in Ukraine.
The two world heavyweights dug in for a standoff when Pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by the West-leaning opposition.
The war of words between US and Russian presidents was triggered by a fiery speech by Obama who condemned the results of a referendum in the Crimean Peninsula to secede from Ukraine and rejoin Russia.
Nearly 97 percent of the Crimea residents who took part in the plebiscite voted to break away from Ukraine and become part of Russia.
In his inflammatory speech, Obama fulminated against the Kremlin for what he called “interference” in Ukraine, and flexed some muscles as a clear sign of saber-rattling.
"We're making it clear that there are consequences for their actions," Obama said, and warned, "If Russia continues to interfere in Ukraine, we stand ready to impose further sanctions."
So far, the US and EU have slapped sanctions against dozens of Russian and Ukrainian individuals over Moscow’s Ukraine policy.
"We're not going to rule out individuals or rule out actions except to say that there will be costs imposed on Russia, additional costs imposed on Russia if Russia does not change direction here," Obama underscored.
As expected, Putin did not hesitate to answer back. In a much-anticipated speech, the Russian leader alarmed his American opposite number over the intrusive approach he has adopted vis-à-vis Moscow.
“They are constantly trying to drive us into a corner because we have an independent position, because we maintain it and because we tell it like it is and don’t engage in hypocrisy. But there is a limit to everything. And with Ukraine, our Western partners have crossed the line, playing the bear and acting irresponsibly and unprofessionally,” said Putin.
The Russian president also reminded the West of its encroachment upon Russia’s “backyard.”
“NATO remains a military alliance, and we are against having a military alliance making itself at home right in our own backyard; in our historic territory.”
Putin also warned that Russia will respond to the Western threats in kind.
“Some Western politicians are already threatening us with not just sanctions, but also the prospect of increasingly serious problems on the domestic front. …We will respond to them accordingly.”
With the two superpowers locking horns, it goes without saying it was the West that touched off the conflict. And the Western double standards are at play here like always.
That’s right. Washington’s opposition to Crimea’s secession from Ukraine is a potent example of the US’ hypocrisy.
Not only did the White House not oppose Kosovo’s secession from Serbia in the late 1990s, it supported the move as well. The US also expressed no opposition to Slovakia’s independence from Czechoslovakia in 1993. Furthermore, Washington was effervescently ecstatic about the break-up of Sudan and the creation of South Sudan in 2011. US politicians even showed some proclivity to break up Iraq into Kurdish, Sunni and Shiite states. And very recently, the White House seems quite disinterested when it comes to the Northern Ireland’s talk of independence from the UK.
Incontrovertibly, Washington does not care whether or not a country is broken up. What counts is whether the secession serves the interests of the US and its Western allies. Any break-up of nations, rejoining, secession and the like, will be okay as far as Washington’s interests are not jeopardized.
But why is the US so indignant at Crimea becoming part of Russia? The results of the referendum clearly show that the residents of the peninsula have joined, or rather rejoined, Russia of their own volition. Moreover, it is a domestic matter, and has nothing to do with the US. Then why is it that Washington is poking its nose in it?
The US and its Western allies were so perturbed at Crimea’s secession that they were swift to tighten the noose on Putin’s inner circle.
With a stroke of the pen, EU leaders sealed the core elements of a political association agreement with the new pro-Western Ukrainian rulers, and at the same time, gave the thumbs-up to more restrictions against individuals politically close to Putin.
Crimea’s having rejoined Russia would expand Moscow’s sphere of influence. That, no doubt, dismays the US, which seeks to maintain a secure foothold in the region. Russia’s military presence on a peninsula adjacent to Ukraine where self-proclaimed West-leaning rulers are currently at the helm would indisputably pose a challenge to the interests of the US and its allies. The US wants to be the sole superpower in the world and wouldn’t like to see its authority challenged. Nevertheless, the recent developments on the Crimean peninsula have tipped the balance against Washington.
On the other hand, Russia’s taking control of Crimea would curb NATO’s eastward expansion and keep the military alliance at bay as it tries to deploy its forces in Russia’s backyard. And the West wouldn’t exactly jump for joy at this.
However the events will play out, the United States, knowing that Russia is a force to be reckoned with, is unlikely to take a leap in the dark. That means the chances of Washington provoking a military confrontation with Russia are very slim. Nonetheless, Washington-Moscow relations remain tense at this point, and no possibility could be ruled out.
PressTV - Washington, Moscow: Friends-turned-foes
