DOES RUSSIA HAVE OR NEED ALLIES?

Ann ODEGOVA, graduate student of journalism of the Moscow State University and of the American University in Moscow

It is not a secret now that today relations of Russia with different countries which could be our faithful allies are becoming less cloudless. This year it became especially obvious. But is it necessary to burn bridges? Flexibility is necessary in these relations.

Is it correct to translate all relations on a monetary basis? It was with Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan. Recent New Year's conflict with Byelorussia (White Russia) once again roughly naked essence of the future changes.

We do not have allies. Love for money has remained. Oh, pity calculation! Everything is seized by it. We should only recognize its domination which has aggravated political situation.

In particular, it is bitter to think about it, Byelorussia has never been our ally. Feeling of solidarity with Byelorussian people was imparted to us so long that we eventually have fondly believed in their good intentions not suspecting about Lukashenko’s statements against Russia on the Byelorussian TV.

Loud statements about solidarity and brotherhood of Slav peoples… Only words. One for all and all for one? Beautiful words, a cheap trick, a political veil, dodge, but no more. And it frightens. Byelorussia and Ukraine are afraid to overpay, Russia - to sell too cheap. Is it good to build so mutual relations?

We have simply got tired to love, everybody got tired to love us. Political tops, contours of political landscapes were replaced. But connections are too complex to tear them and to limit them to market relations. Cutting off of allied mutual relations with all neighbors – it is rather short-sighted course. It is necessary to become closer.

Today … Everything will depend on it. What for to spoil relations with all neighbors on a background of negative Vladimir Putin's media image in the world which is skillfully created by the Western mass-media? It is not clear. Entering tough policy concerning former union republics, in particular, assigning hope for so-called migratory revolution Russia is careless, we do not understand that it damages to Russia’s image in a global context.

Cynical gas magnates, new Russian aristocracy! Nobody can deny active and rigid methods of the statement of their policy and interests. But this is serious question what will be results of it.

Undoubtedly, rigidity of behavior of Gazprom is the frightening off factor in relations with potential partners. Its not harmless New Year's gas flirt with Ukraine and Byelorussia became new interesting tradition accompanying constant salad «olivie», champagne and fly-flaps. One year ago American vice-president Cheiny objected to it. But we have thoughtlessly decided to make this card trump, but we do not understand that gas wars strongly struck on image of Gazprom and all our country. Sole true exit is not only to create favorable information aureole around Gazprom, but to prove to the Western world with concrete affairs that policy of this commercial structure does not coincide with policy of Kremlin which is provoking conflicts with former union republics.

We do not have any friendly hand! We have quarreled with everybody. Making rigid noise around of recent Estonian scandal with burial places of Soviet soldiers Moscow looks like a child when it goes by the way of reproaches and exhausts relations with Tallinn – and with EU – in impasse. Economic sanctions against Estonia are an impact on Russian business which worsening life of Russians in Estonia, it is unambiguous hint on final breach. On this background the recent requirement of Lithuania monetary indemnification from Russia for events in Vilnius in 1991 looks cynically.

Washington does not indulge Moscow too when it openly criticize its last contract on deliveries of the modern offensive weapon to Iran. And there is nothing surprising. If Russia would like peace in the Near East it is wrong to help Syria and Iran. Near East War will be dearer for us than profit from these deliveries of arms. It infringes upon interests of our state. To deal with Venezuela it is much more safe and easier.

It is clear that at this moment when the USA have turned away from us we need in stable friendly relations with European Union and first of all with one of key our partners – Germany which presiding in it . Angela Merkel who said that it is necessary to continue power dialogue of EU and Russia by the signing of contract about partnership and cooperation also understands it very well.

Today, when we lose our allies one by one, it is nonsense to aggravate a situation. We must consider carefully each political step and realize all gravity of our situation – Russia needs allies very much.