I wrote yesterday that it wasn't clear to what extent Russia was pulling back from Georgia. But it's quite clear now that they are not doing so, but are making sure they destroy as much as possible of Georgia's miliatry capability, for example its navy's equipment at the port of Poti. The Americans are right to demand that Russia pulls out of Georgia immediately - and to condemn Russian bullying.
Russia's foreign and security policy at the moment, as well as unattractive, reckless and lethal, is simply incoherent. The Kremlin may not like the deal between the US and Poland about missile defence, but its own actions have made it imperative for Poland to tie the Americans into its own security. Russia is pushing its neighbours into Washington's embrace, because without US guarantess they have no security. Georgia proves that if any proof was needed, and the logic of Georgia's situation, and Ukraine's , is to want NATO membership even more desperately than they did before. If the Russians had any sense they'd be cooperating with Washington over missile defence (the Americans have offered to cooperate and both have an interest in protecting Europe from mad regimes) and would be guaranteeing the security of their neighbours rther than threatening them. Clearly, Medvedev doesn't have that sense. Or Putin doesn't. Or both don't.
What more can be done? Not a great deal, but some things. I think the French and the Americans having been doing the right things; the deal Sarkozy cam up with is sensible, and unpalatable as it might be for Georgia I think there have to be talks about the status of South Ossetia as part of any solution. So insisting on that plan being implemented is the first thing. If that doesn't happen, then the US should call off the joint military training it's apparently planning with Russia, Russia should be excluded from the G8 for the next meeting at least (perhaps they could be replaced by India - that might annoy them nicely) and the US and EU should review their backing for Russian membership of the WTO. But this Polish deal is the best retaliation for what Russia has done so far. I wonder if they'll get the message.
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