How Russia assess its current relations with NATO? As difficult but not hopeless, so says Dmitrij Rogozin, the Russian ambassador at NATO. On the invitation of the Centre Russia/Eurasia of the DGAP, Deutsche Bank and the Committee on Eastern European Relations the Russian NATO-ambassador spoke about the relations between Russia and NATO. In his speech he tried to invalidate 8 myths on the transatlantic alliance and identified negative and positive tendencies in the relationship. In the following discussion Mr. Rogozin also answered on general questions on the relations between Russia and the West.

As the first so called stereotype Mr. Rogozin challenged the declaration that NATO is an alliance of democratic states and Russia as a democratic country has nothing to worry. As everybody knows, so Mr. Rogozin, the West characterizes Russia as a non-democratic state. Therefore democratic states can wage a war against a non-democratic state like Russia. Furthermore he can see no evidence on the thesis, that all states after joining NATO develop friendly relations with Russia. Neither Poland nor the Baltic States have today better relations than before the accession. Also the partnership between Russia and NATO is a myth. Russia and NATO don’t hear and understand the arguments of the other. Therefore a development of a partnership is impossible. In this context Mr. Rogozin agreed, that Russia has no veto in NATO negotiations. But before NATO does not consider Russia’s interests, there is no real partnership possible. Also the fifth thesis is wrong, that NATO pursue a policy of open doors. Neither Russia nor Israel or Pakistan have the possibility to enter NATO. The sixth myth is that Membership Action Plan leads not automatically to a membership. Against this automatisms at its Bucharest summit NATO decided that Georgia and Ukraine will be future members of the alliance. Also that the US-missile infrastructure in Poland and Czech Republic is not directed against Russia is a myth. Rogozin cannot imagine that the missile defense system in the centre of Europe is especially directed towards dirty bombs from Iran. If this defense system would be really constructed against threats from the Middle East, it must build be in Iraq or Azerbaijan. As the last point he challenged the thesis, that Russia recently act aggressively. For Rogozin the real aggressor is NATO, because it built military bases outside of its territory and imposes democracy to other states.

What are for Mr. Rogozin the main problems in the relationship between NATO and Russia? It is first of the inability of NATO to change its strategy as an aggressive defense alliance. Today NATO is not preparing for new challenges like terrorism or ecological disasters. With its permanent enlargement the transatlantic alliance is becoming bigger but also more immobile and discordant. In the opinion of Mr. Rogozin the old European democracy losing their influence in NATO in favor of the former Soviet satellite states in Central Eastern Europe, which dominate NATO in the interest of the US.

As positive Mr. Rogozin emphasized, the ISAF-mission in Afghanistan that prevents Russia from the necessity of an intervention in the region. Furthermore there are good experiences of cooperation in the field of civil protection and emergency management as well as in research and science. Finally Mr. Rogozin highlighted that Russia has no interest in a confrontation with NATO because of its international problems. Goal of the new Russian leadership is, to modernize the country and to reach European living standard for the people. In the discussion he criticized the role of the US in international conflict resolution. On the other hand he pointed out, that NATO-Russia Council has developed as a forum for dialog, where concrete possible solutions are discussed. In the end of June there will be an unofficial meeting on Afghanistan and Kosovo which, in the opinion of Mr. Rogozin, can give impulses for a political dialog.

From: The German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)