Russian President Dmitri Medvedev announced that he has ordered a halt to the Russian military offensive in Georgia.
Obviously, he would like to appear to be magnanimous in this situation. Since French President Nicolas Sarkozy is already in Moscow to negotiate with Medvedev, it is obvious that the Russian President (and/or Prime Minister Vladimir Putin) does not want to appear to be strong-armed by the European Union. Perhaps he will save the announcement that he is pulling his troops back for after the meeting with Sarkozy?
The Russian demands aren't entirely out of reality but the idea of forcing a democratically elected president of a sovereign nation to resign as one of the terms of a ceasefire and withdrawal will be anathema to the west.
President George W. Bush said yesterday, "Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century." This is true.
MSNBC has this:
Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused the United States of hypocrisy in a tough statement that reflected both the measure of his anger at the West.
This is also true.
See George? This is why, by acting unilaterally throughout the first six years of your presidency, you cut yourself off at the knees on being able to criticize others when something like this happens.
Does that make Medvedev and what Russia has done right? Absolutely not! Nevertheless, Nicolas Sarkozy, Gordon Brown and the other European leaders who have similarly low approval ratings will be the ones with the moral authority here. It will not be, nor can it be, given his record, our president.
Doesn't it just make you weep.
Both Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain made statements condemning the violence in Georgia over the last few days.
I remain hopeful that regardless of who wins, they will restore our voice in international politics.
Comments welcome,
Pat McGovern Sphere: Related Content
