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Putin Read Riot Act at G20 in Brisbane
by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700
Copyright
November 14, 2014
All Rights Reserved.
Arriving at the G20 economic summit in Brisbane,
Australia with two Russian warships, 62-year-old Russian President Vladimir
Putin showed why he’s become the world’s biggest menace. With more unmarked Russian troops
crossing into Ukraine with tanks and heavy weapons, the G20 has turned into a
sort of political confrontation with Russian leader. European Council President Herman
Van Rompuy announced that European foreign ministers would meet Monday to deal
with the Ukraine crisis. At
Brisbane, world leaders had an unambiguous message for Putin: Resolve the Ukraine crisis or face
more economic sanctions. No one in
Europe knows how to confront Russia’s aggression, watching the Russian military
seize Crimea March 1, now moving to annex Southeastern Ukraine. Despite strong European opposition
to Putin, he continues to blame the U.S. stoking Cold War tensions.
Bringing two warships to Brisbane is precisely the kind of unwanted
intimidation that irks world leaders begging to confront Putin. Recent flights by Russian strategic
nuclear bombers as far as the Gulf of Mexico put the U.S. and Europe on notice
that they should think twice before applying any new economic sanctions. “Russia must stop the inflow of
weapons and troops from its territory into Ukraine and Russia and must withdraw
those already present,” Van Rompuy told a press conference in Brisbane, warning
of more sanctions. Since seizing
Crimea March 1 and amassing tens-of-thousands of troops on the Ukrainian border,
Russia has fanned Ukrainian civil war, promoting divisions with Kiev and
pro-Russian separatists. Putin’s
denials about inserting Russian troops or equipment antagonized Europeans and
Australians dealing with the downing of MH17 July 17.
Putin’s continuous denials over whether a Russian surface-to-air missile
brought down MH17 killing 298 passengers and crew raise disturbing questions
about the scope of Russian involvement in Ukraine. Western official confirmed the
presence of Russian troops and military hardware in Ukraine, prompting more
Russian denials. “I want to restate that the European Union continues to believe that there can only be a
political solution to the crisis.
We will continue to use all the diplomatic tools, including sanctions, at our
disposal,” said Van Rompuy. Former
Soviet republics in the Baltics and Eastern Europe fear that Putin aims to
reinstate Russian dominion over former Soviet satellites. Putin’s objections to Kiev’s desire
to have closer ties to the West are expressed by threats of military
intervention. Sending the Russian
military on land, sea and air to all parts of the globe sends an ominous
message.
Putin cant’ get over the fact that former Soviet satellites want no part
of the Russian Federation. Seeking
closer ties to the U.S. and EU is a natural progression for former Soviet
republics seeking free markets and more freedom.
Putin’s global reach as a petroleum and natural gas supplier already
hooked a good part of Europe.
German Chancellor Angel Merkel, recently commemorating the collapse of the
Berlin Wall Nov. 11, understands life under the Kremlin in East Germany. She knows Germany’s Western-based prosperity earned from hard-fought free markets,
competing and succeeding on the world stage.
She recalls the poverty and isolation of Soviet-controlled East Berlin,
when Germany was divided, one half free, the other half Soviet communists. Putin’s recent moves flexing his
military might around the globe hark back to old Soviet days when Russia
challenged the West.
When Russia was booted out the G8 March 24, the world took a stand
against Russian aggression. Meeting
in Brisbane, the G20 must put Putin on notice that his global bullying won’t be
tolerated without consequences.
Booting Putin out of the G20 should be a real option if he doesn’t call back the
dogs in Southeastern Ukraine.
Ramping up pro-Russian separatists in Luhansk and Donetsk, Putin runs the risk
of eviction from the G20. Bringing
Russian warships to Brisbane was designed to intimidate the U.S. and Europe. Australian Prime Minster Tony Abbott
didn’t appreciate Putin’s intimidation.
While Putin likes to fan Cold War flames focusing on the U.S., British
Prime Minister David Cameron ripped Putin’s actions, calling for more U.S. and
EU sanctions. Putin’s aggression in
Ukraine promised to upend the G20 economic summit designed to enhance global
prosperity.
World leaders meeting at the G20 in Brisbane need to deal with a growing
Russian menace in Europe and around the globe.
Flexing Russian military muscle was inappropriate at a global economic
forum, highlighting Putin’s insecurities presenting problems for the global
community. Watching Ukraine torn
asunder, it’s difficult for the G20 to focus only on a $2 trillion boost to
growth. “Obviously, I would like
this discussion to focus on the politics of economic reform,” said Abbott in the
opening session. “In the end,
though, this is your retreat, it is open to any of you to raise any subject that
you wish,” inviting the G20 to deal with Putin directly. If the G20 reminds Putin that nothing hurts the global economy more than war mongering,
he’ll hopefully get the message.
Judging by how Putin points fingers at everyone else, it’s doubtful the G20 will
mark any real progress.
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