Упрощенная HTML-версия
http://interaffairs.ru
Author : S. Ryabkov
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
A unique experience, the knowledge of the specifics
and, unfortunately, the accumulated considerable re-
source of investigations by experts of the tragic sit-
uations that have occurred with passenger planes in
all the years of the existence of civil aviation make
it possible to work in a competent and focused man-
ner, and not in a politicized way. Incidentally, that is
why Russia had insisted on the inclusion of relevant
provisions in Security Council resolution 2166,
which created the legal basis for this work.
The core of the problem is the unwillingness of Poroshenko and the Kiev government to ensure
a ceasefire and, most important, to start a constructive dialogue with the militia and leadership of
Donetsk and Lugansk. For this reason, much of what needs doing, and without which there can be
no restoration of calm around this situation, does not occur. We do not find adequate response
either from Kiev or from the capitals that push the current Kiev authorities towards continuing the
confrontation, towards continuing the so-called anti-terrorist operation.
Whatever we do is in our own carefully considered interest, and that is as it should be, because only
national interest can be the driving force of foreign policy.
This is a great tragedy for southeastern Ukraine and indeed for the entire Ukraine; it is one of the
most painful episodes in the recent history of the region. We understand the situation in all of its
nuances. It is necessary for the Kiev authorities to revise their approach cardinally.
The gap between word and deed has been glaring. Nothing is more alarming in our current relations
with the U.S. than the disparity between American assurances of help in restoring normality and
American practical, broadening and acquiring new forms support for Kiev, which, of course, sees
this support as an indulgence to go on with its dead-end course, as a kind of nod to crack down on
the protest in southeastern Ukraine. Of course, those assurances matter, we do not discard them,
but the U.S. assurances must go hand in glove with specific constructive steps. So far, we see nothing
of this; rather something opposite is happening.
We currently face an across-the-board reduction in the scale of cooperation, and this is by decision
of the United States.
One can talk long about the fate of the Westphalian system and the destruction of the doctrine of
national sovereignty. It turns out that the United States fully recognizes sovereignty only for itself.
The rest have but two options: either they will themselves limit their own sovereignty and accept a
relationship with the U.S. on American terms or they will have problems. This fundamental limitation
of the opportunity to have a somewhat different look at the world is a tragedy. Thanks to Mr. Wol-
fowitz that he called a spade a spade. We will also call a spade a spade.
Only National Interest Can Be the Driving Force of Foreign Policy