LOS ANGELES.–Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, 56, said today that the U.S. and Russia needed more “comprehensive” security talks, seeking to open up a dialogue of how things between Washington and Moscow went south. Peskov really wants to talk about Ukraine where 81-year-old President Joe Biden continues to feed Kiev arms-and-cash to battle the Kremlin, something that’s driven a wedge between the two nuclear superpowers. “It is impossible to rip out any individual segments from the general complex of accumulated problems, and we will not do this,” Peskov said, referring to the whole failed relationship under Biden. Peskov, of course, refers to the Ukraine War, interference of Washington in Indo-China and the future of arms control now in ruins because of Biden’s proxy war against the Kremlin. Peskov also refers to things like prisoner swaps for both countries.
Raising the failed state of relations with the U.S., Peskov hopes to open a constructive dialogue but, so far, the Biden White House isn’t biting. Biden ended generations of diplomacy, détente and arms control, leading to the current stalemate with U.S.-Russian relations, opening up a new Cold War but one far worse that the old one. What’s worse under Biden today is that for the first time in post-WW II history, the U.S. actually funds proxy war against the Kremlin. Biden thinks it’s a strategy to drive Russia out of Ukraine but it actually backfired, only escalating tensions, making WW III and nuclear war more likely. Putin conceptualizes the Ukraine War as an existential conflict between Russia and the Western Alliance. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed in Ramstein, Germany in 2022 that the U.S. tries to degrade the Russian military.
Peskov’s overture to open up a dialogue could be taken in different ways. On the one hand, Moscow would like to end the Ukraine War through dialogue, negotiation and compromise. On the other hand, Peskov might be hinting that U.S.-Russian relations could be heading for a direct confrontation at some point, requiring open dialogue and debate. “Overall, the dialogue is very much required,” Peskov said. “It is need because problems are piling up and there are a lot of problems associated with the global security architecture,” referring to U.S. encroachment in Eastern Europe and Indo-China. Putin said yesterday that the U.S. continues to meddle in the Pacific Rim, trying to create a NATO-like coalition to undermine Chinese power in the Indo-Pacific. Peskov hints that if things don’t get worked on soon it could lead to a major confrontation or even WW III.
Whatever the situation in Ukraine, U.S. and Russia had many common interests in global foreign policy, especially over the kinds of hot spots around the planet. Wouldn’t Putin be a big help to the U.S. in the Red Sea where Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been attacking commercial shipping, prompting a response from the U.S. navy? Stuck in the Red Sea the U.S.S. Eisenhower carrier and strike force have been bogged down trying to neutralize Houthi attacks. Russia has far more clout on the Houthis than the U.S., requiring cooperation between Washington and Moscow. But because of Biden’s proxy war in Ukraine against the Kremlin, no such cooperation between the superpowers exists. Peskov reminds the U.S. that if things continue to pile up it could affect global peace and security. Peskov talks about the security architecture knowing the importance of dialogue.
Putin said today that NATO has encroached in Indo-China, beginning to cause problems for Communist China. “We see what is happening in Asia, a bloc system is being put together,” Putin told a news conference in Vietnam. Putin warns about NATO moving into Asia where it doesn’t belong, nor is it welcomed by many countries in Indo-China. “NATO is already ‘moving’ there to Asia as if to a permanent place of residence. This, of course, creates a threat to all countries in the region, including the Russian Federation. We are obliged to respond to this and will do it,” Putin said. Putin underscores what Peskov has been talking about to increase U.S.-Russian dialogue to avoid future confrontations. Putin specifically warned South Korea to not supply arms to Ukraine.
Peskov’s overture to open up more dialogue between the U.S. and Moscow directly relates to Putin’s recent trips to Southeast Asia, visiting North Korea and Vietnam. Whether admitted to by the White House or not, if Russia starts arming North Korea it tips the security balance on the Korean Peninsula. Historians know the 36,000 U.S deaths in the 1950-1953 Korean War, essentially fought to a stalemate because or Russian and Chinese communist intervention. When it comes to a new security arrangement with North Korea, Putin wants to show the U.S. that he won’t be rolled over. Biden’s proxy war in Ukraine affects U.S. relations with Russia and Communist China, driving the two super-states into an economic, military and strategic alliance. Putin has invited North Korea and Vietnam to join his alliance to stop the U.S. from meddling in Indo-China and beyond.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
