Russian criticism on NATO summit

on NATO’s new strategy

‘If you read carefully the final declaration of the summit, you will see a claim to participate in all world affairs. Think about Afghanistan, the North Pole, the Balkans and so on. In a sense, NATO is trying to replace the United Nations. This is something we don’t like at all. This claim does not correspond to the status of the NATO as a regional bloc.’

on the situation in Georgia

‘We don’t accept any criticism towards Russia concerning the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We completely don’t understand why the NATO still considers the two young republics as regions of Georgia. How can we discuss future cooperation with NATO, closing our eyes to things that will never be acceptable to Russia, because they are unjust and offensive for our country?’

on Afghanistan

‘We will never put up with the retreat and defeat of NATO in Afghanistan. Because the consequences of such a defeat would be left for Russia to arrange. And we are not eager to do that. There are still some more things that Russia is insisting the NATO to take care of. Among them the drug trade, because they seem not to be interested in the drug mafia. But most of the money from the drug trade goes to finance the Taliban resistance movement. That’s beyond the harm that drugs mafia does to Russian citizens.’

on the new secretary general

‘Important issues, such as the election of the secretary general, were at the summit not discussed in a democratic way, but in secret. The election became the subject of bargaining and compromises.’
‘Russia is satisfied with Anders Rasmussen as the new secretary-general of NATO. Actually, Mr. Rasmussen was suitable for everybody. First, because he is a European. And there is a silent tradition in NATO to give a post of Secretary General to a European, while the post of a Supreme Allied Commander Europe is always taken by an American. Second, he is a European who always followed the line of the American policy. And finally, Mr. Rasmussen never pronounced against Russia, that’s what I want to emphasize. This is important for us, because NATO is realizing more and more, that they have at least to have some respect for Russia.’
source: vesti.ru / summary by Ksenia Natorina