Putin Gives Russia Last State of Nation Address

In the same week that his predecessor Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin died, Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin gave his last state of the nation speech to the Duma. To say that he is less friendly than Mr. Yeltsin to the West is an understatement. Indeed, parts of his remarks suggested a Cold War attitude that won't go away when he leaves the stage. While he reiterated his pledge to leave office in March 2008, he named no preferred successor.

Some of his anti-Western rhetoric has been provoked. Putting part of an American missile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland was certain to raise eyebrows in the Kremlin. The foreign non-governmental organizations operating in Russia look like fronts for hostile foreign governments to those who grew up in Soviet paranoia. The unilateralism of Washington in recent years served to offend Russian sensibilities regarding their "near abroad," former parts of the USSR where Russia maintains it has special interests.

Some of his comments are downright scary. He noted, "In 2006 Russia was the world's top oil producing country. But in the area of oil processing we are fundamentally lagging behind. The government should draw up a system of measures to stimulate an increase in the processing of raw materials within Russia. Without infringing the interests of our foreign partners, we should nonetheless think of the development of our own processing base." In other words, "we'll refine it and maybe we'll ship it, or maybe we'll use it ourselves." Having already used natural gas as a tool of influence (a nicer term than "weapon") against Ukraine, this is a threat to the whole world.

Worse, with regard to the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, he said, "I consider it worthwhile to declare a moratorium until all NATO countries ratify it ... and begin to strictly abide by it." All NATO countries should get off their backsides and ratify it; NATO's longstanding insistence that Russia withdraw its remaining troops from Georgia and Moldova (to countries NATO wants as members) stands in the way. Mr. Putin's response is a sign of Russia losing patience, and that can only lead to tougher times ahead in regulating the military balance in Europe (despite the Cold War ending, it still is a good idea to keep a balance in place). He also said, "In case no progress is made during [upcoming] negotiations, I propose to discuss the possibility to end our obligations." That would be bad.

First deputy prime ministers Sergei Ivanov and Dmitry Medvedev, the front-runners for Mr. Putin's job, sat side-by-side throughout the speech. They learned from the president's own lips, "The next state of the nation address will be given by another head of state ... it is premature for me to declare a political will." Since Mr. Ivanov is seen as a bigger hawk and nationalist, he may have been given the inside track with, "Our nation's spiritual unity and the moral values which unite us are as important a factor in our development as political and economic stability." While the people will vote, it could be Mr. Putin who pulls the strings from offstage.

© Copyright 2007 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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