CNN: Crisis in Ukraine Putin imposed.

[Сергей Анатольевич]

CNN: Crisis in Ukraine Putin imposed.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin is often considered an “iron man,” a relic who wants to return Russia to its former imperial glory. However, this week, in a headline article, The Nation magazine stated that US media distort the image of Putin.

How and why? Today I invited Stephen Cohen, the author of this essay, to the studio. He teaches Russian studies at New York and Princeton Universities. Steve, you declare that this person is not the notorious imperialist and dictator as we see him. Explain why you think so.

STEVEN COHEN, Professor Emeritus, Lecturer at New York and Princeton Universities: He is also not Hitler, as former Secretary of State Albright and Professor Brzezinski suggest referring to Munich *. Putin is not a killer. He is not a neo-Soviet imperialist trying to create ... recreate the Soviet Union. He is not even opposed to America.

In fact, from the very beginning he was an extremely pro-Russian person. He has been in power for almost 14 years. And his task - how he imagines it, and how many Russians imagine it - is to restore Russia after the 1991 disaster, the collapse of the Russian state.

Do not forget that in the twentieth century, Russia experienced a crash twice. The first time was in 1917. Therefore, his task is to restore stability, prosperity, greatness, no matter what is meant by Russia itself, and at the same time restore the traditional zones of national security of Russia on its borders. They include Ukraine.

He did not provoke the Ukrainian crisis. They imposed him on him, and he had no choice but to react. Which, as we see, he did.

You declare that he is one of the most liberal rulers in the history of Russia.

STEVEN COHEN: I would not say that. In the sense that I would not use the word “liberal”. I would say that over the past 400 years, Putin is the least authoritarian Russian leader, with the exception of Gorbachev, and possibly the first post-Soviet president, Yeltsin. But about Yeltsin - a moot point. Let us call him the mildest authoritarian ruler of Russia in a century.

By the way, let's look at the attitude towards Jews, since this is important. The status of the Jewish population in Russia can often be taken as an indicator of how the Russian government treats the people. And in the entire history of Russia, not a single leader has treated Russian Jews better than Putin. If you need evidence about this, ask Israel.

But what do you say about neo-imperialism? Why should we take it for granted that every time Russia seems to be infringing on its interests in some way, it will send its troops into the regions of Georgia and Ukraine? It sounds like neo-imperialism, doesn't it?

STEVEN COHEN: Farid, you know, we could argue about this for hours, but let's imagine the USA in a similar situation. What will happen if Russian influence suddenly manifests itself in Canada and Mexico and some regions of these countries declare that they are going to join Putin's Eurasian Economic Union and even, possibly, its military bloc? Of course, the American president will be forced to react as harshly as Putin, if not harder.

I do not agree with you. I don’t think that if Canada wants to establish trade relations with Russia, the US president will send troops there.

STEVEN COHEN: Yes. But if these trade relations deprived the USA of the status of Canada’s main trading partner, this would undoubtedly create a crisis situation.

But let's get back to Ukraine. Brzezinski and Albright, for example, said that the current Ukrainian government is legitimate. Putin claims that it is illegitimate.

I am willing to argue that if you invited several lawyers specializing in constitutional and international law to your transfer, it would be very difficult for them to justify how the current Ukrainian government can be legitimate.

The government, which a week ago completely destroyed the Ukrainian constitutional system, removed the elected president from power and began to adopt anti-Russian laws. In addition, it is at least partially controlled by extremely extremist forces in the streets. It would be very difficult to justify.

Material provided by CNN USA.
Translation completed by RT.

Air Date: Mar 01, 2014.

* This refers to the Munich Agreement of 1938 (approx. RT).

 

[Сергей Анатольевич]

CNN: For Putin, the threat from the United States is a mere trifle.

CNN: For Putin, the threat from the United States is a mere trifle.

Let's turn to senior political analyst David Gergen. We heard yesterday’s warnings, we know what US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked on the phone about. Are these warnings convincing enough, and more importantly, are they valid? Is it possible to put pressure on Moscow with their help?


DAVID GERGEN, CNN senior political analyst: President Obama phoned Putin today and took a tougher stance in this conversation. He openly condemned the actions of Russia. All of this, of course, is useful. However, Jim, it is very important to note that there are no, I repeat, no signs that President Putin is backing down.

Prior to this, US officials spoke on the phone with their Russian counterparts in Moscow. However, this also did not produce any results. I was told that the next day or two would be decisive. During this period, it will become clear in which direction events will develop.

But we must understand that for Putin these punitive measures that we want to apply in response to violations by Russia are a trifle. In the end, compared with the loss of control over an ice-free port with access to the Mediterranean Sea and the abandonment of the main directions of Russian foreign policy that have existed for several centuries ... Compared to all this, the cancellation of an international diplomatic event is not such a problem for Putin if necessary to maintain control in the Crimea.

I would like to show the audience where the port you are talking about is located. It is located on the Crimean peninsula, right at the very tip. In fact, this is the only Russian ice-free port. And Russia believes that it is included in its sphere of interests as a key element for ensuring national security.

You have often attended meetings where such crisis situations were discussed. Those options that were discussed by the president’s national security advisers are now being considered by the president ... Imagine yourself in their place. Which of these options, in your opinion, will be most effective, especially on this day or two, which, as you said, will be decisive.

DAVID GERGEN: Judging by what information is coming to us right now, Jim, we can say that at the moment, military action by the United States or any of our partners in Western Europe is not considered an option.

So now we are talking primarily about this diplomatic protest. But the Russian side will be greatly affected by the application of economic sanctions. Also, remember what Senator McCain talked about, including on CNN. He talked about how to strengthen NATO; about what can be accepted into the North Atlantic Alliance Georgia, and in the future, Ukraine. I do not think that this matter has not yet reached. But something we can do.

But let's not forget, Jim, that Putin also has cards in his hands. Especially when you consider that President Obama really wants to be remembered as the person who reduced nuclear weapons. Until that moment, he managed to collaborate with Putin. And all that he has achieved in this direction may come to naught.

And, as you well know, President Obama really wants to enlist the support of Russia in resolving the extremely important Iranian issue. And to some extent he has already succeeded. But this, too, can go down the drain. And this is a serious trump card in Putin’s hands. Thus, now, in my opinion, everything is going to ensure that Putin can take control of Crimea and at the same time get out of the water dry.

Material provided by CNN International.
Translation completed by RT.

Air Date: Mar 2, 2014.

 

[Детективное агентство Астрахань]

after what happened in Ukraine, you begin to look at Putin with understanding (respect)