EU-Russia stand-off plays into NATO hands, Andry Yermolayev claims

August27200809:08

According to Yermolayev, geopolitical crises are echoes of the global financial, economic, institutional and spiritual crisis going on in the world. To reduce everything to the Russia-West stand-off is a gross simplification and myth which is cultivated now. In fact, the mechanisms that ensured the world’s economic stability over the past 30-40 years do not work any longer. By fueling political and military confrontation, various global power centers are trying to shun the responsibility for the global financial crisis. Yermolayev believes that the recent developments indicate the West’s intent to toss the hot potato to Russia and China and thus avoid the negative fall-out from the world economic recession.

Russia, Yermolayev says, is after a monopoly in the area of fuel and communications. It is eager to set up a sanitary border that would guard her influence in the region. The big question is whether the Caucasian conflict will grow into a stand-off between the EU and Russia. Paradoxically, the stand-off would allow to revitalize NATO and the idea of a united Euroatlantic community which is now having a hard time due to the intensification of integration processes in Europe. The stand-off with Russia may beef up the idea.

A. Yermolayev believes the deterioration of relations between Russia and the West won’t accelerate Ukraine’s accession to NATO. NATO will use such countries as Georgia and Ukraine to farther its interests eastwards. On the other hand, new conflict-ridden members will hardly strengthen the alliance. “We will see a variety of special agreements, programs and road maps offered by NATO, but I doubt that Ukraine will be granted a membership in the alliance,” he says.

As regards the United Nations, Yermolayev says that it may have lost its steam, same as the League of Nations in the past. But this does not mean the world can do without global structures. Reforming the UN should not lead to its ruining, he says. The UN should be reformed to accommodate transnational structures. The UN will soon become a forum for regional, not national, structures, like the European Union, he adds.

The expert opines that in a new organization that will take over from the UN, delegations will be elected in national elections and will have the status of national governments. This will require changes in the Security Council and in the voting procedure.

Unfortunately, these issues are not debated in Ukraine and are left to diplomats. Ukraine does not initiate new approaches to the global system. It is an indication of the weakness of our elite, Yermolayev concludes.

• 18:3605.09.08 Todd, USA
• • There is one main factor that must not be forgotten: America's intention to not let an energy-rich country like Ukraine out of its control. It will keep provoking internal unrest and "regime change" until it installs a puppet government and gets Ukraine in NATO and the EU.That's what makes independence for Ukraine impossible.
    The sanest, safest option for Ukraine is to hear its people and side firmly with Russia, which is in a position to defend Ukraine. Otherwise, bringing NATO in Ukraine guarantees a war with Russia.
• 05:0901.09.08 American citizen
• • Poor Mark Bolan. Such an elitist, socialist view of the world. History will show, the people with their new freedom won the cold war. Many countries pressured the USSR to dissolve. And this is about Ukraine. The people of Ukraine know what they want. The people of Ukraine are very tired of worrying about Russia. Russia has no honor. Ukrainians want to join the international community (EU, NATO, etc.) and (naturally) Russia does not want them to. Imagine that.
• 02:3301.09.08 Mark Bolan
• • RedWhiteAnd blue I suggest you get educated and drop the low level american habit that must use foul language in the usual american bravado way thinking he sound intelligent as intelligence goes hand to hand with education that unfortunately base on what you write and what we experience on daily bases form the way all of you behave and express your selves do not have.
    And is time some of you un educated idiots who write all this comments to read some historical facts and see who was behind and why USSR has been created and with what financing and it was not created by Russians you idiots not Russia of today has anything to do with USSR americans have the stupid notion that Regan dissolve USSR and every one base on western mass media propaganda missed the point Russians did that and americans lost because of that as I say read historical facts and put the dots together.
    Is one thing discussing something you are knowledgeable about and is another attacking a person who does know what he talk about with insults and american low level mentality and yes we are tired of all of you thou we still believe that some of you are still worth saving. And before you take in your mouth the Russian government again try to see what your government is and what it does to all the poor people who believe in them including her citizens you little slave or you too far gone in your brain washing to figure it out ?
    Want to get Ukraine into NATO to save Ukraine form the bad Russians and free them? Or want to get Ukraine citizens that are already free and enslave them and have another army of young kids to do their dirty work around the world ?
    Wake up call you stupid american keep your alleged democratic ways to your selves and look around you the freedom you think you have exist only in your imagination you are a salve little man haven’t yet figured it out ?
    
• 20:0831.08.08 RedWhite&Blue
• • Hey DutchCitizen,
    Well put, but you left out the fact that this is about oil, freedom dose not matter. The Russian government is the one who seeks dominance. Ukraine is next on the radar screen, you think that Russian politics is about harmony and love, please. They want to be respected for there past and they say it. They want there sphere of influence back and they say it. They sound like a kid sent to the corner for a time out. I have not studied political science and applaud your education but being a hater of other countries is not in the interest of getting along. I am an American citizen concerned at what is going on and read all kinds of press not just the west version, what I have gathered is that Ukraine, Georgia, and other Caucus states do not want a return of the USSR. They remember the way it was and they know that the ones respnosible for the Russian government are the old oligards that pull the strings and want a return to the good old days. C'mon call it what it is a power grab, thats why they hand out Russian passports so they can have an excuse for when they invade (protecting their citizens). I am watching and reading and hope that my Government will help not hinder. And by the way are you blaming the US for WW1 and WW2? and where will you be when WW3 breaks out? Its time that the all you people stop the hating of the USA we are starting to get sick of your crap, everything is our fault we are the ones to blame like we are the only ones selling arms, thats crap its a business and alot of countries do it. Get over that the US is the culprit that shit is already old.
• 02:5028.08.08 American citizen
• • In the poll suggested above, 83% of Ukrainians were against joining NATO in February '07. Then it was down to 76% in February '08. But still, 60% supported the idea of a referendum. Shortly after this poll was taken, the company director said support for joining NATO would be about 50%. And that was before the events in Georgia which has left a familiar chill in all the former USSR countries. NATO would offer Ukraine international support which they have never had, and they don't need Russians OR Westerners trying to tell them what to do. They have already had centuries of that! Ukrainians well know their new spirit of independence and we should all encourage them, support them and trust their judgement. Have a voice and vote!
    PS. Excellent information by this journalist! Keep up the great work.
• 12:2727.08.08 DutchCitizen
• • I'm surprised a proud and independent nation like Ukraine, wanting and now having its independence, is choosing allready for years to join a failed NATO alliance and become part of a fierce agressive military block with clear global expansion goals. Why you can't be INDEPENDENT and have good relations with both EU and Russia?
    Also..what is a definition of Democracy, when western leaders, my own leaders , and media, support a Ukraine NATO membership allready for years, WHEN OVER 70% OF YOUR DEMOCRATIC POPULATION does NOT find this necessary?
    You loose as Ukraine not just respect from the democratic people in EU, ..this is not what a democratic nation should do.
    Unless you think it's right a western funded president of your country offers Ukrainian boys up to start a war against Russia on behalf of good-old Brezinsky and friends, destroying EU and Russian territory, and have our american friends, like before, sell us the weapons with big profits and ca$h in, while you and Europe is ripped apart, and your 'friends' sit safe in american continent and divide and rule the world as undemocratic as you will rarely read in most massmedia.
    It IS about cynical powergames, and count the weapons and army bases popping up around the globe, to see that what many politicians SAY is totally contrary to what they ACTUALLY DO? - I might sound cynical, but unfortunately this is how we started WW1 and WW2 alike..not a good idea to start WW3 as well I guess..
    Ukraine deserves to be independent and form a bridge of hope, not the catalist to devide Europe.
    Wait and see..
    Europe is perfectly capable to work together, east and west, without relentless pressure from other continents and cynical powergames, passed through over corrupt and short-sighted politicians like Milliband, Shakasvili, etc., sorry, but these people are populist politicians whith little true historical context, apart from misplaced cliche's and cheap provocations.
    (ps: I'm a western, democratic and free dutch citizen who studied political science in Amsterdam).