It is not yet clear what sanctions will be announced. But if we look at what is being said, it gives the impression that the US Government considers the citizens of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and other small EU countries to be the main culprits in the whole situation. After all, these sanctions will damage us much more than Russia!
This is precisely the situation in which Czech diplomacy should act. The situation has a clear culprit! It is the United States of America, which – according to its own statements – has spent approximately USD 5 billion on preparing a coup in Ukraine, disrupting the entire region and causing instability. Let them bear the cost! If we are to be involved in any way, it is only on the understanding that the Americans will reimburse us for everything, down to the last penny. If we are to replace Russian gas with American gas, then it is unacceptable to pay our ‘allies’ more than we have been paying Russia. If freer gas is more expensive, let’s charge the US government the difference.
And if the Americans don’t want to pay, why should we?
It is the United States of America, which – according to its own statements – has spent approximately USD 5 billion on preparing a coup in Ukraine, disrupting the entire region and causing instability.
Vladimir Putin has also let it be known that he is not interested in restoring Russia’s borders “under the Tsar.” He stated that this has nothing to do with reality. But this is precisely what Russia’s critics accuse the president of doing. How do you see this, and can Putin be trusted on this?
I am not an intelligence analyst and I do not have special information, however, taking only publicly available information, Vladimir Putin’s actions are clear, consistent and predictable in the long term. Not predictable in individual moves, that’s where a good chess player will surprise you every time. But predictable in terms of overall intentions.
First. For Tsar Vladimir, the absolute priority is to defend Russia’s independence within its current borders.
Second. Tsar Vladimir is under domestic pressure, where most of society would favor a more assertive and more forceful policy than he prefers.
Third. Tsar Vladimir has understood that the West will not keep any commitments and that the West will do its utmost to destroy Russia no matter how accommodating Russia is and how far it will go.
These three points give a clear answer to your question. It is not about empire building. It is about not allowing the creation of a beachhead for an easy devastating strike against Russia.
Vladimir Putin’s actions are clear, consistent and predictable in the long term.
Putin has also claimed that Russia has recognised the new geopolitical reality after the collapse of the Soviet Union and seeks to cooperate with all states in the post-Soviet space. “We have always proceeded with utmost caution, even in serious and tense situations like Nagorno-Karabakh, based on the interests of all the states involved and have always tried to reach mutually acceptable solutions. Unfortunately, after the coup, we do not find this level and quality of cooperation with Ukraine, such interaction has disappeared. I would point out that this happened just after the coup and the illegal seizure of power by those who orchestrated it,” Putin said. We also hear, for example, comparisons with 1938 in Czechoslovakia, but also others. Is the situation different with Ukraine?
In what ways would that situation be similar to 1938? That Putin would seize some huge industrial potential in Ukraine and use it to launch a frontal attack against the West? That he would make a deal with Poland, Hungary and Slovakia and together they would carve up Ukraine? But the metaphor makes no sense! It only serves the purpose of someone shouting something and causing a wave of emotions.
Yes, Vladimir Putin’s strategy is very deliberate and quite cautious. Sometimes too much. It would have been better for Russia, Ukraine and the world if he had intervened decisively in Ukraine back in 2014.
