Sunday
Nov092008
Russia to Obama: The Follow-Up
Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 8:54
The Associated Press reports that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called Barack Obama on Saturday to offer his congratulations on the President-elect's victory. Apparently, Medvedev
"expressed [his] determination to create constructive and positive interaction for the good of global stability and development", as the US and Russia shared responsibility to address "serious problems of a global nature."
So, three days after laying down a challenge with the declaration that Russia would put missiles on its western borders if the US proceeded with missile defence bases in Poland, Medvedev extends an olive branch. Significance?
First of all, the AP's information came from the Kremlin. So the Russian President's call was part of a calculated public strategy. Having talked tough in the 24 hours after the election, Moscow now offers partnership. Not, however, from a position of weakness or following an American lead but from a stance of equality.
Second, not a word from the Obama camp. Nothing.
That's not surprising. After all, Obama doesn't take office for more than two months, so he's not supposed to be making US foreign policy. He has also shown the trait of playing it cool when under pressure, inside and outside the Presidential campaign.
That, however, leads us to third: there is no reference to the current US President in the story. The Bush Administration is now in the past as far as US-Russian relations are concerned. Sure, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov --- in Egypt, of all places --- for 80 minutes yesterday. As the short report --- so short that it only merited a place in "World in Brief" in the Washington Post --- noted, "Despite the length of the private meeting, there was no sign either side had budged on its position on the most contentious issues."
So, if you following the US-Russian dynamic, hold your breath. Hold it for a long time, because Washington is effectively stalled until January.
"expressed [his] determination to create constructive and positive interaction for the good of global stability and development", as the US and Russia shared responsibility to address "serious problems of a global nature."
So, three days after laying down a challenge with the declaration that Russia would put missiles on its western borders if the US proceeded with missile defence bases in Poland, Medvedev extends an olive branch. Significance?
First of all, the AP's information came from the Kremlin. So the Russian President's call was part of a calculated public strategy. Having talked tough in the 24 hours after the election, Moscow now offers partnership. Not, however, from a position of weakness or following an American lead but from a stance of equality.
Second, not a word from the Obama camp. Nothing.
That's not surprising. After all, Obama doesn't take office for more than two months, so he's not supposed to be making US foreign policy. He has also shown the trait of playing it cool when under pressure, inside and outside the Presidential campaign.
That, however, leads us to third: there is no reference to the current US President in the story. The Bush Administration is now in the past as far as US-Russian relations are concerned. Sure, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov --- in Egypt, of all places --- for 80 minutes yesterday. As the short report --- so short that it only merited a place in "World in Brief" in the Washington Post --- noted, "Despite the length of the private meeting, there was no sign either side had budged on its position on the most contentious issues."
So, if you following the US-Russian dynamic, hold your breath. Hold it for a long time, because Washington is effectively stalled until January.