Why the West needs Russia
In the wake of the meeting between Biden and Putin, the opinion was again popularized that Western countries should not go into close contact with Russia at all. After all, they are already strong, democratic and economically developed. However, the meeting on June 16 in Geneva is an initiative of the American side. Let's see why the mutual striving for cooperation between the West and Russia is so important, relying mainly on prerequisites related to international security.
Security guarantor in the post-Soviet space
Russia remains the guarantor of security on the territory of the post-Soviet space. The 1992 conflict in Transnistria was resolved thanks to the active participation of Russia. In the 1992-1993 conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia, Russia carried out a humanitarian mission. The civil war of 1992-1997 in Tajikistan also did not pass by Russia. The Russian Federation has extensive experience in resolving conflicts in the post-Soviet space, introducing peacekeepers and seeking a dialogue. The CIS countries (and Ukraine) have close economic and political ties with Russia, so the latter has a sufficient amount of leverage over these states.
It is in Russia's interests not only to preserve and expand its sphere of influence, but also to stabilize the region. This is especially relevant in the context of the long-term conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Russia took an active part in its settlement both in 1994 and in 2020. Moreover, last year, after Azerbaijan shot down a Russian Mi-24 helicopter, Russia promptly inclined the parties to the conflict to peace. In the armed conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the situation of total defeat of one of the parties is extremely dangerous. Moreover, it is dangerous for the whole world, and not only for the neighboring countries of Azerbaijan and Armenia. The conflicts in the post-Soviet space and the imbalance of power caused by them can deal a serious blow to the EU, which is a partner of the United States. The West understands this and accepts the peacekeeping role of Russia in the entire region.
Afghanistan and Syria
In 2015, Russia launched a military operation in Syria. It was extremely convenient for the West when the US decided all the "issues" in the Middle East and North Africa (Iraq, Libya) independently. Now in this region it is necessary to cooperate with Russia. Despite all the accusations from the US Department of Defense about the violation by Russian forces of the agreement on the de-escalation of the conflict in Syria, these statements do not have a real impact on the situation. As long as Russia has the military resources to conduct peacekeeping operations in third countries, the West will reckon with this factor.
In addition to Syria, Afghanistan is an important point of cooperation (which was even discussed in Putin's interview with NBC). USA really withdraw their contingent from Afghanistan. Moreover, this contingent leaves calmly, without hassles. However, against the background of this, the Taliban unleashed massive hostilities against the Afghan army and civilians. The intensity of the fighting in Afghanistan skyrocketed, even though the restraining factor (US forces) did not finally leave the country. It is highly likely that in the near future the world community will again have to resolve the Afghan issue.
It will be extremely difficult and expensive to resolve this conflict without Russia's participation. The 1344,15st Russian military base is located on the territory of Tajikistan (the border with Afghanistan is 201 kilometers). The Russian military has been guarding the border with Afghanistan for many years and, in fact, remains the main military deterrent for the Taliban after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Therefore, cooperation between Russia and the West in this direction should gradually increase. (The Taliban are members of a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation).
Summing up the results of the summit in Geneva, Biden noted that the question of Afghanistan was raised, and Russia is ready to help the United States in ensuring security in the region.
Cybersecurity
In the modern world, the most important point of cooperation between countries is the Internet environment. If some serious cyberattack happens, they are sure to try to find a Russian trace (a kind of Tula paratroopers on the Internet). Cybercrime in its current form is only the initial stage in the development of online fraud. Therefore, this type of crime will progress. Moreover, Internet terrorism that emerges from the cybercrime environment is an extremely dangerous thing for the whole world.
In the international legal arena, the Internet environment is still poorly regulated. Not enough supranational political institutions have been created capable of regulating cyber confrontations between countries. For example, in the United States, cyberattacks are very often associated with Russian attempts to destroy the country, but in fact they do not seek a settlement in this area. During the meeting between Putin and Biden, the President of America raised this issue separately. The close interaction between the United States and Russia contributes to the creation of the foundation of institutions that can effectively regulate cyberspace, and the involvement of all countries in this process, from Europe to Asia.
The purpose of this article is not to show that Europe and the United States depend on Russia, but to outline the fact that Russia is and will be an important strategic partner of the West. Moreover, to show through the analysis of the reasons, mainly associated with armed conflicts and defense. Economic and political preconditions can be written separately. Therefore, the desire of the United States to find common ground with Russia (the meeting between Putin and Biden) is absolutely adequate. In turn, it is also extremely beneficial for Russia to maintain a high level of cooperation with Western countries: to develop its industries that are competitive in the European market, to adopt successful European practices and functioning institutions (including democratic ones).
The ups and downs in relations between Russia and the West (the crisis in relations with the United States, which is now often talked about) is a difficult process, but not critical. There are no points of no return in modern international relations (at least, we have not found them yet), therefore, there is always a way out of a political crisis, in which all its participants should be interested.
Will this solution be found after the meeting between Putin and Biden in Geneva?
Rather - no, without rose-colored glasses and sensations, however, it is important to note some shifts in the relationship. When summing up the results of the summit, the President of the Russian Federation has already stated that "lightning flashes of confidence" flashed, and the parties did not put pressure on each other during the dialogue. Biden added at a press conference that Russia and the United States should cooperate in areas that are of common interest to the countries. The sides also confirmed the important provision that there will be no winners in a nuclear war.
Therefore, as the West needs Russia, so Russia needs the West.
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