Упрощенная HTML-версия
should decide how to behave with regard to NATO. This behavior should be politically
correct - in any event, it is essential to find a line to communicate with NATO. Joining
NATO is impossible while integration into the Euro-Atlantic security system is a remote
prospect. N. Sarkozy and A. Merkel have already told D. Medvedev in Deauville that
such a concept could only emerge by 2025.
Aleksei Denisov,
Deputy Director, Institute of Strategic Studies and Analysis:
The decisions of the Lisbon Summit confirm that NATO can no longer be regarded as
a regional organization - it has become a global one. Another conclusion from the sum-
mit: The military buildup is no longer as relevant to the alliance as it used to it. NATO
is the most powerful alliance and is superior to all centers of power in the world.
With respect to Russia, NATO's position is rather tactical than strategic: Priority is given
to matters in which the alliance is extremely interested today. The summit provided no
indication of any softening of NATO's position on the so-called territorial integrity of
Georgia while NATO's plan to expand with Georgia and Ukraine is still in force. Sooner
or later all these problems will take center stage in relations between Russia and NATO.
There is no question about Russia joining NATO. That is ruled out.
Maksim Shevchenko,
journalist, talk show host, TV Channel I:
What is the European Union? This is a very vague concept. It is still not entirely clear
what it is. Within the framework of NATO all EU countries are linked to the United
States within a single system. Yet inside the EU there are some serious contradictions, a
conflict of interests.
Europe is faced with a dilemma: On the one hand, it wishes to receive resources from
the Middle East, but the Europeans are not given access to the Middle East. It is even
possible to see precisely where the European and U.S. interests clash.
I can see only one obvious Russian policy line with respect to NATO - i.e., the constant
separation of relations with the United States and NATO, and NATO and Europe.
Grigory Povolotsky,
Managing Editor of International Affairs:
I would like to consider two aspects related to the NATO projection. First of all, as is
known, the aim of the NATO project was to push the Soviet Union out of Europe - a
global aim. Secondly, it was the consolidation of U.S. domination in Europe. This project
was fulfilled up to a point.
At present, when the U.S. sees that China is increasingly becoming its adversary and rival
on the global geopolitical arena, the Americans are less and less interested in NATO as
an instrument of its global influence.
NATO's counteraction in respect to China will proceed up to a certain point as a sec-
ondary trend in US policy. But as soon as a new opportunity emerges, it will discard this
Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
»