Did Putin Just Bring Russia In From The Cold? -- Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor
In a security meeting today, Putin said Russia would try to rein in Ukraine's rebels. He also effectively told media and politicians that the country is not under Western siege – and to stop repeating that claim.
Moscow — Vladimir Putin opened a special meeting of the Kremlin's Security Council today with an odd statement: "There is no direct military threat to our country’s sovereignty or territorial integrity at present," he said.
To a Western ear, that might sound like belaboring the obvious. For a Russian audience today, it's a jarring note for their leader to strike.
Mr. Putin's statement flatly contradicts what the domestic media have been saying for months. Just days ago, Russian outlets were warning of a White House "offensive against Russia and China," with the US trying to create "instability on Russia's borders." Putin himself earlier this month claimed that Russia's annexation of Crimea was to forestall NATO from getting a foothold in Ukraine.
Read more ....
More News On Russian President Putin`s Comments On Ukraine And The Shooting Down Of MH17
Putin Pledges to Help but Sees Limits on Role -- New York Times
Putin: Russia Will Press Rebels to Help Malaysia Airlines Probe -- WSJ
Putin says will use influence on Ukraine rebels, denounces West -- Reuters
Russia's Message on Jet: Conciliation and Bluster -- NYT
Why Putin Can't Afford to Dump the Ukrainian Separatists -- Alexey Eremenko, Moscow Times
My Comment: His public comments on the Ukraine crisis and the shooting down of Malaysian Flight MH17 is newsworthy for the following reason. He is telling his advisers and government officials to tone down their rhetoric on Ukraine .... this is a major shift. Telling the media and the pundit class to tone down their rhetoric on U.S. behavior/threats against Russia/etc. is an even greater surprising. But he did make it clear that there will be no change in his government`s policy to support the rebels in eastern Ukraine, and he still regards the Ukraine government as illegitimate.
2 comments:
My feeling is that he is playing for time. He knows what the rebels need the most is time since the Ukrainian government is hemorrhaging cash right now. Once winter hits he can also use their dependence on natural gas to bring them to the bargaining table. Assuming the rebels survive that long that is. Even if they don't at least Putin can look like he is trying to be reasonable. It's win/win for him.
I concur Jeff. He is playing for time because time is on his side for the reasons that you have outlined.
Post a Comment