Dealing With Russia, Part II



Earlier this week we wrote about "Pacta Sunt Servanda," Russia's post-Soviet era strategy of re-entering the community of nations through willfully constraining itself to the strictures of international law. While yes, this was Gorbachev's idea -- and he is somewhat poltically toxic, representing a pewriod where Russia had a "weaker" hand -- we wrote that the theory of "Pacta Sunt Servanda," or "(All) Treaties will be honored," might be used to remind Putin and the St. Petersberg crowd about the territorial integrity of Georgia and leverage the community of nations against his next moves.

Eventually Russia will care enough about its international image, after the anger and humiliation wear off (Thank you Rumsfeldians), to ultimately make a diplomatic deal on Russia's issues with South Ossetia and Abkasia. Until then, The Economist has some quicker remedies-possibilities:

"That does not mean the West should do nothing in response to Russia’s aggression against Georgia. On the contrary, it still has influence over the Russians, who remain surprisingly sensitive about their international image. That is why Western leaders must make quite clear their outrage over the invasion and continued bombing of Georgia. Few have done that so far; the Italians and Germans in particular have been shamefully silent.

"Above all, the West must make plain to Mr Putin that Russia’s invasion of Georgia means an end to business as usual, even if it continues to work with him on issues such as Iran. America has already cancelled some military exercises with Russia. America and the Europeans should ensure that Russia is not let into more international clubs, such as the Paris-based OECD or the World Trade Organisation. Now would also be an appropriate time to strengthen the rich-country G7, which excludes Russia, at the expense of the G8, which includes it.

"The European Union, which has too often split into camps of appeasers and tough-talkers over Russia, should drop negotiations on a new partnership and co-operation agreement. Visa restrictions should be tightened, and the personal finances abroad of top Russian officials probed more carefully. The EU should work harder at reducing its dependence on Russian energy imports and improving internal energy connections—and EU countries should stop striking bilateral deals with Russia."

More here.