Foreign ministers at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) agreed to resume high-level relations with Russia during a meeting today in Brussels. NATO severed normal ties with Russia following the country’s invasion of Georgia (an aspiring NATO member) last summer. Moscow subsequently recognized the independence of two breakaway regions – Abkhazia and South Ossetia – which most countries view as an infringement of Georgia’s sovereignty.
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that “the ministers reached agreement to formally resume the NATO-Russia Council including at ministerial level…as soon as possible after the NATO April summit.” He added, “Russia is an important player, a global player, and that means that not talking to them is not an option.” Moscow welcomed the move.
The war in Georgia has come to signify Russia’s aggressive resurgence under Vladimir Putin. Many experts argue that even though he is now the prime minister following Dmitri Medvedev’s ascension to the presidency, Putin remains the real man in charge. Medvedev was Putin’s chosen successor. The fear is Russia will continue to assert greater control over its so-called sphere of influence through diplomatic, economic (both financial incentives and by controlling the distribution of energy resources) and military means.
But in order to successfully address international issues, Russian support is critical. Recognizing the importance, the United States wants to redefine its relationship with Moscow. During her prepared remarks at the NATO meeting, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton argued “it’s time to explore a fresh start.”
“We can and must find ways to work constructively with Russia where we share areas of common interest, including helping the people of Afghanistan, arms control and nonproliferation, counter-piracy and counter-narcotics and addressing the threats posed by Iran and North Korea.”
Photo from Sebastien Pirlet/Reuters.
