Today the main Russian diplomatic tactics is to impede the United States, and the reason for that is that Moscow's power is weakening, the Newsweek writes.
"To remain important, Russia has to be seen as an obstacle", an article in Newsweek says. "That is why, Moscow has allied itself with pariah regimes like Venezuela, Syria, and even Iran".
Simultaneously, Russia vetoes every US security initiative in Europe.
The idea to be deploy ABM in the Black Sea territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria - "was suggested by the Kremlin itself a year ago during talks with Hillary Clinton", the Newsweek notes. However, the deputy prime minister Sergei Ivanov said that the current plan is just as bad than the previous plan to deploy an anti-missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic or even worse.
In fact, there's nothing Washington could propose that Moscow would agree to, "it's because opposition is an all-purpose diplomatic lever to bargain for what Russia needs", the magazine writes.
Keeping NATO's influence out of Russia's front yard is probably the most important Kremlin objective. But staying at the table of top nations is important to Moscow's pride too.
"That is why every time one of Russia's former satellite states finds reason to look West (by electing a reformist, for example), the Kremlin retaliates", edition indicates giving referring to gas wars in Ukraine and real wars in Georgia.
"More subtly, Russia has been working to scupper a peace deal between Moldova and the breakaway province of Transdniestria, largely because it suits Russia to keep troops on the border and thereby reduce the chances of Moldova growing closer to its EU member neighbor, Romania", the Newsweek adds.
The author sees also Moscow internal politics interests in this approach. An imaginary threat helps Putin to create an impression that he resists Yankees.
"Obstruction is one of the few things left in Kremlin's diplomatic arsenal. That's why Moscow will never be the US ally Obama wants it to be", the magazine concludes.
Department of Monitoring,
Kavkaz Center
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