Russia seeks ‘post-West’ order as US vows loyalty to allies

Munich, Germany | AFP |

Russia Saturday called for an end to what it said was an outdated world order dominated by the West after US Vice President Mike Pence pledged Washington’s “unwavering” commitment to transatlantic allies in NATO.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov offered a diametrically opposed global vision, just hours after Pence vowed to stand with Europe to rein in a resurgent Moscow.

“I hope that (the world) will choose a democratic world order — a post-West one — in which each country is defined by its sovereignty,” said Lavrov.

The time when the West called the shots was over while NATO was a relic of the Cold War, he said.

In its place, Moscow wanted a relationship with Washington that is “pragmatic with mutual respect and acknowledgement of our common responsibility for global stability”.

Moscow has been impatiently waiting for US President Donald Trump to make good on his pledge to improve ties which plunged to a post-Cold War low as Barack Obama slapped on sanctions over the Ukraine crisis and Russia’s alleged meddling in Trump’s election.

On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and voiced his willingness to work with him in fighting terrorism.

But in the face of growing heat over its links to Moscow, Trump’s administration appears to be backing off the warmer words used earlier for the former Cold War foe.

– ‘Greatest ally’ –

Exasperated and worried by Trump’s calling into question long-standing foreign policy assumptions, European leaders have warned Washington not to take transatlantic ties for granted.

On a European roadshow this week, Trump’s lieutenants have sought to reassure jittery allies that the administration will hold fast to existing foreign policy, including maintaining sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

Hours before Lavrov addressed the Munich Security Conference, Pence told the same forum that the United States will stay loyal to its old friends.

“The United States is and will always be your greatest ally. Be assured that President Trump and our people are truly devoted to our transatlantic union,” Pence said.

The US would also not relent in pushing Russia to honour the Minsk ceasefire accords with Ukraine, he said.

“The United States will continue to hold Russia accountable, even as we search for new common ground, which as you know, President Trump believes can be found,” the vice-president said.

At NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Defence Secretary James Mattis said Russia must first “prove itself” and respect international law before there could be any improvement in relations strained by Moscow’s Ukraine intervention and annexation of Crimea.

Likewise, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson indicated he would take a tough line in his dealings with Russia.

Following his first meeting with Lavrov in Bonn on Thursday, Tillerson said the US would cooperate with Moscow but only when doing so “will benefit the American people”.

– ‘Not a word on the EU’ –

Despite the US charm offensive, European leaders gave a cautious reaction.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said he “had no doubt that the American vice-president and the defence secretary will do everything to fulfil their commitments within NATO as in the past.”

But tellingly, his confidence was ostensibly only extended specifically to Pence and Mattis.

When pressed for his view on Trump, he would only say: “I can only say what I have spoken about with Mr Pence. And that I have done and on that I have no doubt.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he was “struck that (Pence) had not at any moment mentioned the EU”, an institution which needs to take a bigger place in a world buffetted by a rise in nationalism and populism.

“I don’t want to accuse Pence prematurely, he is going to Brussels on Monday and I hope that we will have a clear response on this question because Donald Trump gave the impression that he welcomes Brexit and that there would be more to come,” said Ayrault.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel meanwhile made no direct mention of Trump in her address in Munich.

She however, championed a clear message of international cooperation rather than a policy of isolationism — in what could be a plea for the US not to retreat as it seeks an “America First” policy.