A contradictory Russian message
How are EU leaders supposed to understand the Russian decision to place missiles in the enclave of Kaliningrad? The Russian missiles in the Baltics will inevitably be a thorn in the eye of the EU Commission, which is now preparing for new partnership talks with the Kremlin.
In his state-of-the-nation speech yesterday, Russian President Dmitrii Medvedev presented himself as a liberal-minded person working deliberately for the development of democracy and the rule of law.
However, in the same speech the president also presented several hawkish positions, among them a continued tough line in relations with the U.S. He also proposed the extension of the presidential term to six years, a decision seen by many analysts as a move further strengthening the power of the Kremlin
However, for European leaders, the announcement on the placing of Russian “Iskander” missiles in Kaliningrad in the Baltics was what was most remarkable with the speech. The missiles will be placed in the Russian enclave, which is surrounded by EU members.
President Medvedev says that the missiles will be Russia’s response to the U.S. decision to place its new anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The announcement from Mr Medvedev was not a good signal ahead of the new negotiations between the EU and Russia on a new partnership treaty. The EU Commission yesterday announced that it is ready for new talks with the Russians and that they will start already next week.
The missiles might now have a negative impact on the EU-Russia talks. European leaders have over the last couple of months struggled to find joint positions on Russia after the conflict in Georgia.
Russia and the EU are neighbours and major trade partners. The new Partnership Treaty is vital for the development of relations. The two sides should now be highly vary about letting military issues rule the agenda.
Read also:
Democracy on top of Medvedev’s agenda 5 November 2008
