NATO: Putin Is Congenial As He Strives to Keep the Atlantic Alliance At Bay

Russian leader Vladimir Putin tried his best to sound disarming during his April 4 talks in Bucharest for discussions with NATO summiteers. Putin's restrained approach, however, couldn't conceal a determined effort to enhance Russia's veto power over Atlantic alliance enlargement.

At a news conference following 90 minutes of talks with US President George W. Bush and other NATO heads of state, Putin sought to downplay the notion that Russia and the West were enemies. "Let's be friends guys, and be frank and open," Putin said, adding that he was relieved that the talks were substantive, and did not turn out to be "a ping-pong [game] of mutual blame."

The Russian leader added that a return to Cold War-like confrontation was impossible. "No global players, Europe, the United States and Russia are interested in returning to the past," he said.

During the talks, NATO leaders and Putin were able to finalize a deal covering transport and transit of supplies for the alliance's mission in Afghanistan. It permits the transport of non-lethal goods destined for NATO's International Security Assistance force (ISAF) through Russian territory. However, the agreement will not cover air transit arrangements as initially sought by NATO. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Putin professed to be happy that he will soon be stepping down as chief executive, claiming that he was "looking forward to removing this burden" of the presidency. Russia's incoming president, Dmitry Medvedev, is "very well educated," Putin added. How much of a burden Putin will actually be shedding remains to be seen, as he is expected to become prime minister after relinquishing the presidency. Many analysts of Russian politics expect Putin to retain control over the Kremlin's foreign policy. Helping to buttress this belief was the fact that Medvedev was nowhere to be seen in Bucharest. His inauguration is scheduled for May 7.

Beyond the smiles and expressed desire for friendship, Putin offered determined resistance to NATO's agenda. He was especially tough on the idea of NATO expansion into Georgia and Ukraine, two former Soviet republics. Enlargement was the most contentious issue discussed by NATO members in Bucharest. The United States had led efforts to put Georgia and Ukraine on a fast track toward membership, but opposition led by Germany and France succeeded in blocking the move. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. As a compromise, NATO officials indicated the membership issue would be reviewed again in December. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Putin warned that accepting Georgia and Ukraine as members would place NATO on a collision course with Russia. "A powerful military bloc appearing near out borders will be perceived in Russia as a direct threat to the security of our country," Putin said, overlooking the fact that the Baltic States, already NATO members, already border Russian territory.

The Russian leader disputed one of the central premises behind NATO expansion – that the alliance is an exporter of democracy. Such a characterization was "greatly over-exaggerated," Putin claimed. "Entering NATO doesn't magically turn countries democratic. NATO is not a democratizator."

"Take Ukraine: if it were accepted into NATO yesterday, would it have become more of a democracy?" Putin continued.

Prior to meeting with Putin, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer held a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko, during which the alliance chief stated there was "not a sliver of a doubt" that the Georgia and Ukraine would join the defense group in the future. At the press conference, Yushchenko noted that Ukraine is the only non-member country participating in all NATO missions, and underlined that his country's aspirations were not aimed against anybody including Russia.

Putin suggested that room for compromise could be found on contentious issues between NATO and Russia. He stressed, however, that Russia's willingness to make deals would depend "on the extent to which NATO member states will take into account Russia's interests." The way the Russian leader framed his comments suggests that Moscow is intent on enhancing its veto power in certain areas of NATO affairs, in particular enlargement.

NATO leaders have repeatedly insisted that Russia has no veto authority over alliance decisions. But some analysts point out that Germany's dependence on Russian natural gas, as well as the importance of Russia as an export market for German products, are factors that Berlin policy makers cannot ignore. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been Putin's biggest booster among NATO allies. Characterizing Russia as a "partner," Merkel called for closer contacts between the alliance and Moscow.

De Hoop Scheffer described the talks with Putin as useful, although he emphasized that he could report no "stunning breakthroughs." At least, he added, the discussions took place "in a positive spirit."

"NATO enlargement is a contentious issue," de Hoop Scheffer continued. "The minds do not exactly meet, to put it mildly."