Friday, September 18, 2009

Effects of Obama's appeasement reach beyond Poland and Czech Republic

The chilling effect of Barack Obama's decision to appease Russia by backing out of an agreement with Poland and the Czech Republic reaches beyond the borders of those two allies.

From the Times of London:

Ukraine and Georgia's chances of entering NATO over Russian objections have diminished further. The timing is disastrous for Ukraine in particular, given the Kremlin’s determination to reverse the pro-Western Orange Revolution and ensure victory for a pro-Russian candidate at presidential elections in January.

The Baltic States, already in NATO, will be feeling a chill as they ponder an even more assertive Russia. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been among the Kremlin’s most vocal critics but NATO's new Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has declared a "true strategic partnership" with Russia his top priority.

The Bush Administration delighted in emphasising relations with the "new Europe" of former Soviet bloc countries, often at the expense of recalcitrant "old Europe" of Germany and France on foreign policy.

Mr. Obama has shown that the US is no longer playing that game. He wants Russian help on Afghanistan and Iran and is leaving Europe to resolve its own relationship with Moscow on everything from energy security to historical grievances.

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