WHY INDIA SHOULD WORRY

The Ukraine crisis reflects the West’s failure to establish durable structures of peace and security in Europe after the end of the Cold War and the demise of the Soviet Union.

- KANWAL SIBAL

The Cold War mentality has persisted, reflected in the relentless expansion of NATO eastwards to guard against a resurgent Russia, whose size, resources and military strength despite its economic weakness weigh as realities. The European Union (EU) too has expanded steadily eastwards as an economic barrier against Russia.

Early efforts by Boris Yeltsin and even current Russian president Vladimir Putin to affirm Russia’s European vocation were rebuffed. Russia had to become a European-style democracy to be accepted as a ‘European’ partner. The promotion of colour revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine, in particular, were aimed at encouraging a similar ‘democratic’ churn in Russia.

The offer of NATO membership to Georgia and Ukraine could not but be seen by Russia as a provocation. Russia had shown that its redlines had been crossed by intervening militarily in Georgia and recognising the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This message went unheeded and today Ukraine has paid a similar price with Russia recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics, not to mention the annexation of Crimea after the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych through street demonstrations openly supported by the US.

The arguments given by the West to justify its policies toward Russia are contestable. The only reason for adding an additional 14 members to NATO is to counter a potential Russian threat which the Baltic states and Poland openly affirm. To say that NATO is a defensive alliance and does not pose any threat to Russia defies common sense. A ‘defensive’ alliance pre-supposes an ‘offensive’ threat. Ironically, this treats Russia as a threat to NATO.