Munich Forum: Why Klimkin’s fifth point felt something was wrong
A security conference ended in Munich, one of the key topics of which was “global rivalry between the great powers” - Russia, China and the United States. In essence, the conference participants gathered to discuss the problem of dangerous uncertainty that arose in connection with the elimination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty).
Delegations of participating countries are traditionally headed by foreign ministers. Sergei Lavrov, in addition to speaking at the forum, had an extensive schedule of meetings: with the head of European diplomacy, the Secretary General of NATO, a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, German and Japanese colleagues, etc. In general, the isolation of Russia is in full swing!
Unlike last year's conference, the US sent an impressive group led by Vice President Michael Pence, US President's mother's advisers Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, as well as fifty congressmen.
European leaders at the forum had to portray to foreign guests an unbreakable unity in the face of Brexit. Great hopes were placed on the joint speech of Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. However, the Frenchman let down his German colleague by not appearing in Munich, citing his involvement in the showdown with the “yellow vests”.
To compensate for the damage caused by Macron’s defection, EU representatives began to pretend that there were no differences between Europe and the United States. Russia was once again chosen as the last choice, being named as the only culprit in the liquidation of the INF Treaty. Apparently, the Europeans were outraged by the Kremlin’s refusal to listen to the valuable recommendation of the Bundestag deputies - to move the 9M729 missiles beyond the Urals, which caused heartburn in Pompeo.
The culmination of the show of “European unity” was the presentation of an award named after Hitler’s Field Marshal Ewald von Kleist (died in Soviet captivity in 1954) to the heads of Greece (Tsipras) and the new North Macedonia (Zoran Zaev) “for overcoming one of the long-standing conflicts in Europe through diplomatic measures.” In fact, for the successful “Maidan” in Macedonia, for the sake of the absorption of the republic by Euro-Atlantic structures, against the wishes of the majority of citizens.
Despite Brexit, London was diplomatically but firmly shown its place in the system of European economics, politics and security. They say that no matter how much Britain spins, it cannot easily get rid of Europe - they will sand it down and bend it completely.
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen pleased Trump's representatives by assuring the Big Boss of loyalty to NATO, alliance and joyful willingness to part with 2% of GDP out of love for the alliance. Von der Leyen assured that Germany will pay a pretty penny very soon, and in 2024 it will begin a major reform of the Bundeswehr.
Frau the minister responded sharply and impartially to Russia, accusing Moscow of breaking the INF Treaty. It should be noted that von der Leyen’s philippics were more like a theatrical performance, since in response to cries from the audience “punish Russia”, the minister noted that Germany does not adhere to the “tit for tat” rule and doubts the effectiveness of “mirror measures of the 80s” . In the end, Frau Minister reduced the impact on Russia to “persuading Moscow to sit down at the negotiating table.”
Without exaggeration, British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson's criticism of Russia can be called chewing snot. The minister, who had previously never left the topic of the Skripals, this time was embarrassed to mention the family of the ill-fated traitor, getting away with inarticulate muttering about some mysterious “attitude of Russians towards people on the streets of Great Britain.”
The former highlight of the Munich forum, Petro Poroshenko, was given a place at the trash can this time. Petya no longer set the tone of the discussions, did not bask in applause and spotlights. He was one of the last to speak, when influential politicians had already left the conference room.
Poroshenko arrived at the forum to beg for weapons and pointedly not answer questions from Russian journalists.
Ukraine was mentioned only a few times at the forum in the context of vague wording about “Russian aggression.” Ukrainian journalists went out of their way, trying to extract from American speakers specific dates for the admission of Ukraine and Georgia to NATO, but they achieved nothing but general phrases about long-term reforms.
Judging by the alarming trills of the Ukrainian media, Kyiv is very frightened by the end of the “merciful American hegemony.”
However, NATO members had more important problems than the future membership of some “failed states” in the alliance. Former US representative to NATO Nicholas Burns prepared a report on the crisis in the military bloc. The speaker sees NATO's main problem as Donald Trump, the first US president in history to relinquish leadership of the organization. Leading NATO countries decided not to even celebrate the office’s anniversary for fear that Trump would “tear down the anniversary summit, as he has done every time he has met with NATO allies for the last two years.”
Moreover, Trump became the first US president for whom Europe is an economic rival rather than a partner. The Europeans, in turn, vied with each other to convince the Americans of their eternal love and affection.
One of the resonant topics was the discussion of Nord Stream 2. US Vice President Michael Pence arrived at the forum with the goal of convincing Angela Merkel to abandon the project. To the credit of the German Chancellor, she did not succumb to pressure. In addition, Merkel made it clear that Europe will support new American sanctions against Russia only on a targeted basis, and not to the detriment of economic relations.
Another accuser of Russia in the liquidation of the INF Treaty was NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg. From the very first words of the Secretary General, a suspicion arose that Uncle Jens had hit the rails hard, declaring with a blue eye that Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty in the famous Munich speech of 2007. Stoltenberg did not fail to sternly remind that “Russia has another six months in stock to correct the situation, but the clock is ticking.”
In response to clarifying questions from members of the Russian delegation, Stoltenberg was dark, obtuse, referred first to Obama, then to Trump, droned “NATO has the facts” and droned “Moscow needs to return to dialogue.”
Unlike the NATO Secretary General, the European politicians participating in the conference had a different opinion, which boiled down to criticizing the United States for its harsh and unexpected decision. Europe has not yet given up hope of saving the Treaty through negotiations and the search for compromises.
During Stoltenberg’s report, the old Maidan bagwoman Nuland was seen yawning from mortal boredom in the hall. During the break, delegates and the press wanted to talk to grandma, but Nuland, having exchanged a few words with the speaker of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, left at third escape speed.
Also at the forum they discussed “security in the Black Sea” at the initiative of Georgia, “expanding NATO presence” at the request of Romania, the US promise to “achieve the final denuclearization of North Korea”, they branded Iran “for sponsoring terrorism, exporting missile technology and inciting the Holocaust” and other mortals sins. Thus, the United States strongly hinted to its EU partners that it was not right for them to impose American sanctions: “If Iran does not allow America to suck oil, then no one has the right to suck Iranian oil.”
US Vice President Pence started talking about Venezuela and the boycott of the legally elected President Maduro. Apparently, the United States is not satisfied with the formal approach of European politicians to attempts to strangle Venezuela in order to overthrow the socialist government.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was literally in great demand, and his report was very versatile, but aimed mainly at Europeans. Lavrov reminded the heads of the EU about the pointlessness of the confrontation with Moscow, about the short-sighted policy of Europe, which allowed itself to be drawn into unprofitable sanctions, and about establishing a dialogue between the European Commission and the EAEU.
But the main reminder from the head of the Russian diplomatic service was the extension of the START-3 treaty, which expires in 2021. The attitude of the fucked-up Washington hawks leaves little room for optimism. START-3 may well become the next victim in a series of US hegemonic ambitions.
The topic of the Middle East and Syria was the final topic for this year's Munich Security Conference. Russia was represented at this stage of the discussion by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Vershinin.
In general, we can say that when it comes to the Middle East, the attitude of Western countries, including the United States, towards Russia, if not getting better, at least looks more dialogue-oriented.
Summing up.
In general, the past Munich Forum creates the impression of an information vinaigrette. Everyone wanted to listen to everyone, but at the same time the receiving party, together with the Americans, could not resist criticizing.
The speeches contain contradictory statements. Apparently, no one knows what to do when the system of checks and balances collapses. The situation is clearly getting out of control. The world is faced not with the usual series of large and small crises, but with a much more fundamental problem. The liberal world order that emerged after the departure of the USSR from the world stage was disrupted by its main promoters, and there is no visible way to rewind everything back.
Even such an ancephalic person as the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Klimkin, felt hopelessness. “There is less and less security in this world, and more and more security forums,” the rumpled minister wrote on Facebook. “There is no final answer yet on what needs to be done and how. Just as there is no answer to how to counter the fact that the world is becoming more and more dangerous.”
At the moment, it is difficult to say what conclusions the Russian leadership has made. Minister Lavrov at the forum skillfully parried attacks on our country, but did not say anything new. Most likely, details should be expected in the annual message of the Russian President to the Federal Assembly.
English version :: Read in English Munich Forum: Why Klimkin's butt sensed something was wrong