David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Monday 09 February, 2009

Russia: Present, ish

My session at the Munich Security Conference was entitled "Nato, Russia, Oil and Gas".  John McCain pulled out because of the Senate's debate of the UK Stimulus Package.  But I was sorry that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ivanov shifted from this session to a discussion on disarmament.  It left the panel without a Russian voice - other than the speaker in the audience who complained about the lack of Russian representation.

I said in my speech that we had to have the confidence to be clear in our own principles but also understand how Russia saw things if we were to find a way to shape a non zero sum relationship.  Vice President Biden touched on this in his speech which managed to be forceful and humble at the same time.  I agree with Andrew Kuchins and Samuel Charap in the IHT that the economic recession increases the potential for Western/Russian cooperation.  It would be the ultimate irony if nuclear disarmament through restarted US/Russia talks provided the salve for the US/Russia relationship .
 

Posted at 11:04 09 February 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[7]

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Comments:

David, i hope you are a diplomat when regretting about russian abstention in the discussion. "How does Russia see things"? By Putin’s eyes: USA must die Britain - shortly after, we must rule the world. You didn’t miss much!

Posted by Vladimir on February 09, 2009 at 02:16 PM GMT #

In Russia we know a lot about negative image of our country in Europe and USA. That's sad.

Posted by Kirill on February 10, 2009 at 05:51 PM GMT #

World can’t have any sort of stability without dealing with Russia effectively. Russian isolation in world politics should be avoided at any cost. West should try hard to keep Russia integrated no matter how difficult the circumstances. Putin’s main problem is lack of soft skills. He is based on autocratic principles and still under the influence of cold-war mentality. Putin and his men unleashed their horror in Beslan and Moscow theater sieges and showed the true nature of his governance. No man in this world can deploy Special Forces with flame throwers into a hostage scene involved with 700 children without having embraced chilling ideologies and principles. That is the real danger Russia poses to the world.

Posted by Chamila Liyanage on February 12, 2009 at 02:18 AM GMT #

I hope UK is going to modify its "special relationship" with USA, which in reality was always following the American way of international affairs and rhetoric. President Obama has made some comments about it even before his election. Your "special relationship" has become a problem for UK and USA. Try to be more open minded and Europe-oriented in your foreign policy. Please stop being only a US sidekick or even worse- a "poodle".

Posted by Mike Morava on February 12, 2009 at 01:47 PM GMT #

The British Council is suspended in two major Russian cities and the Russian media is full of anti-British propaganda. Why is the BBC World Service now swapping its high quality cultural and political Features for Radio 5-Live style phone-ins which are sure to put off Russian intelligentsia? See our Nov 7 letter in the Times: <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article5100492.ece> and also my recent article on the Open Democracy website: <http://www.opendemocracy.net/Russia/article/BBC-ridding-itself-of-a-troublesome-Russian-Service>

Posted by Robert Chandler on February 15, 2009 at 11:02 AM GMT #

Please can you add this to my previous comment: "And Russian officials are sure to see the cut of 19 hours of broadcasts weekly as a sign of British lack of resolve."

Posted by Robert Chandler on February 15, 2009 at 11:19 AM GMT #

David, sorry for the comments out of the topic. Actually i was in touch with all the discussions happened during the Conference, i mean i was watching and reading stuff in the internet plus TV...but here i just want to say you are very beautiful man:smile. it does not play a big role in diplomacy,negotiations and conflict resolutions but, anyway, it is a pleasure to see your speeches, all the best:smile again:

Posted by Anna on February 18, 2009 at 04:37 PM GMT #

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