NATO, Syria & Ukraine in ‘post fake’ world: Munich Security Conference highlights & memorable quotes – RT
The future of NATO and its relations with Russia amid turbulent US foreign policy, as well as the Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts in an era of Cold War style media hysteria have dominated the three-day Munich Security Conference.
Russia is ready to work together with NATO, but its expansion has led to an unprecedented level of tension in Europe, the Russian FM Sergey Lavrov told the conference. Moscow is open for political dialogue and diplomacy but believes it does not make any sense without military cooperation. NATO, however, has not shown a readiness for such cooperation.
The US seemingly tried to reassure its allies, alarmed by Donald Trumps campaign statements on the alliance being obsolete. America strongly supports NATO and is fully committed to this transatlantic alliance, the US Vice President Pence said at the conference. As you keep faith with us, under President Trump we will always keep faith with you, he added, reiterating, the demand, however, that allies to pay their fair share of 2 percent of GDP to maintain NATO.
From predictable position of force? NATOs chief tells Russias FM theres room for dialogue
When even one ally fails to do their part, it undermines all of our ability to come to each others aid, Pence stated, clearly implying that failure to increase spending was not an option for NATO nations.
As long as the EU and NATO complement and not compete with each other, the future of the transatlantic bond is quite bright, NATOs SG Jens Stoltenberg said, since the EU and US desire to be strong does not mean they should be alone.
Germany and France however, did not seem to be entirely reassured by Pences speech. I dont know where Germany can find billions of euros to boost defense spending if politicians also want to lower taxes, Germanys FM Sigmar Gabriel said, while his French counterpart, posted quite a salty tweet that Pence didnt say a word on the EU.
High-ranking diplomats involved in efforts to end the Syrian conflict have acknowledged the crucial role of Russia. The Astana talks is an important milestone in the reconciliation process, as the Syrian government and rebels met for the very first time at a negotiating table instead of the battlefield. And while not being an alternative to the upcoming Geneva negotiations, it should be viewed as a valuable supplement, the UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura believes.
READ MORE: Russia & Turkey-brokered Syria ceasefire has more chances than any other UN Syria envoy
The UN representative also said the not-so-secret Russian-Turkish meetings helped avert the worst case scenario in the battle of Aleppo and saved tens of thousands of civilian lives.
The new ceasefire, brokered by Russia, Iran, and Turkey is holding better than the previous one since these countries have actual influence on the ground in Syria.
Previous efforts, undertaken by Russia and the US, failed since Washington didnt have such influence, US special presidential envoy for the US-led coalition against IS, Brett McGurk, conceded, stating that we became a bit of a Ping-Pong ball to try and control the situation.
The modern world lives in a post-truth period which can only be overcome through an old-school justice and modesty approach, Russias FM Sergey Lavrov believes. Only honest work without lies and fake news is the way to resist hysterical information wars imposed on the international community."
READ MORE: Post-truth & post-fake crossroads: Russian FMs top quotes at Munich Security Conference
Not everyone, unfortunately, shares the approach of the Russian FM, since the narrative of a Russian threat, Russian hacks and other baseless allegations have repeatedly emerged during the Munich conference. US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), for example, has warned France and Germany to wake up referring to their upcoming elections, since the Russians were coming after you. The Senator then promised Lavrov some consequences and vowed to kick Russia in the ass in Congress.
READ MORE: Year of kicking Russia in the ass: US Senator Graham urges more Russia sanctions
Russian, French, Ukrainian and German diplomats have reached a new agreement on a ceasefire in Ukraine starting February 20.We have actively supported this decision and obviously expressed a conviction that this time, failure should not be allowed, the Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said afterward.
The diplomats reiterated the importance of the Normandy format and said there was no need to include new parties, referring to the US. The Minsk deal is perceived to be the only way to untangle the conflict, and Russians and Ukrainians have no other option but to respect it, the French FM Jean-Marc Ayrault said.
READ MORE: No need to include US in Ukraine peace talks, German FM says
Lavrov noted that the lack of progress in the reconciliation process should not be blamed solely on Russia, as the other parties are equally responsible too.
President Vladimir Putin's decree acknowledging passports and other documents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk Republics was announced during the conference out of humanitarian concerns, leading to a hysterical reaction from Ukrainian officials.
President Petro Poroshenko called it yet another proof of Russia's violation of international law and claimed the rogue republics to be an occupied territory. The decree, however, is motivated not by political, but humanitarian considerations and it would remain in place until the Minsk agreements are fulfilled.