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Europe Chose Next Aim for Russia’s Attack
In the West, they are clear about the next aim of Moscow – it is Ukrainian Crimea, of course. Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband rushed to Kiev to warn Ukrainian leadership to avoid giving any pretext to Moscow for the military assault. Meanwhile in Ukraine, the military clashes in Georgia triggered another political crisis that may break the ruling coalition.
Yesterday, the world community was busy commenting on the Kremlin’s decision to recognize independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. No state supported the demarche of Russia. Only Hamas-led Gaza Strip hailed that move of Moscow.
The attitude of the world to Russia has changed dramatically. France, for instance, was thought one of the most reliable partners only a week ago. But President Nicolas Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner apparently took that recognition as a personal insult. Russia is outside the international laws, Kouchner made clear yesterday in the TV interview, regarding the recent events as the occupation of other state’s territory and forecasting that Russia’s next victims could be Ukraine (Crimea) and Moldova.
Two days proved enough for France to match Britain in toughness of anti-Russian rhetoric. As to London, it has been the most ardent critic of Moscow for a few years already.
It isn’t surprising that British Foreign Secretary David Miliband was the first to voice the intention to go to Kiev and set up the anti-Russian coalition there, including for Ukraine’s defense. According to Miliband, Ukraine should be very cautious, as Russia had used the pretext given by Georgia, and this practice must never repeat.
Of interest is that, although Mr Miliband urged the EU and NATO to revise relations with Moscow, it opposed Russia’s expulsion from the G8, reasoning that only economic ties with the West may deter it from aggressive policy.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Aug. 28, 2008
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