> But the Caucasus is seen as “a zone of Moscow’s exclusive interest”, and the growing influence of illiberal forces in the region, in particular, Russia, Turkey and Iran, is very alarming.
…
> Basically, Azerbaijan, I will say now, only Azerbaijan, refused to introduce any measures to build confidence and security.
Ok so all of the south Caucausus **except Azerbaijian** which is in Turkey’s ( NATO member)sphere and just agrreed to supply the west with Gas should Russia restrict theirs.
Also Georgia still very keen on joining NATO but after the Russian invasion 14 years ago I’d understand laying low.
So You’ve got Armenia possibly secured and Georgia subdued. And since 1989 the meantime you’ve lost Poland, East Germany, Hungary, czechia,slovakia,romania,bulgaria,estonia,lithuania,latvia as well as territories which shared values with you but werent directly under your control, Slovenia, Montenegro and Croatia. The rest of the Balkans is begging to join the EU.
You’ve also recently pushed Sweden and finland towards considering NATO more than ever and some of your last puppet states Belarus and Kazakhstan have just had popular uprisings.
I don’t think Russia’s hand is a good as they think it is.
2 comments
> But the Caucasus is seen as “a zone of Moscow’s exclusive interest”, and the growing influence of illiberal forces in the region, in particular, Russia, Turkey and Iran, is very alarming.
…
> Basically, Azerbaijan, I will say now, only Azerbaijan, refused to introduce any measures to build confidence and security.
Ok so all of the south Caucausus **except Azerbaijian** which is in Turkey’s ( NATO member)sphere and just agrreed to supply the west with Gas should Russia restrict theirs.
Also Georgia still very keen on joining NATO but after the Russian invasion 14 years ago I’d understand laying low.
So You’ve got Armenia possibly secured and Georgia subdued. And since 1989 the meantime you’ve lost Poland, East Germany, Hungary, czechia,slovakia,romania,bulgaria,estonia,lithuania,latvia as well as territories which shared values with you but werent directly under your control, Slovenia, Montenegro and Croatia. The rest of the Balkans is begging to join the EU.
You’ve also recently pushed Sweden and finland towards considering NATO more than ever and some of your last puppet states Belarus and Kazakhstan have just had popular uprisings.
I don’t think Russia’s hand is a good as they think it is.