by John M. Curtis
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Copyright January 29, 2015
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                   Warning of a dangerous confrontation with the U.S., 83-year-old former Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, who presided over the break up of the Soviet Union [March 15, 1990 to Dec. 25, 1991], showed his age, blaming the U.S. for the current frost between the two superpowers.  Blaming the U.S. for drawing Russian into a new Cold War, Gorbachev says nothing about Russian President Vladimir Putin?s March 1 annexation of Crimea and backing of pro-Russian separatists in Southeastern Ukraine?a de facto division of Ukraine?s territory.  Putin and Gorbachev want to cast recent events as confrontation between the U.S. and Russia when the conflict has more to do with the European Union.  It was former Russian-backed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich?s decision Nov. 15, 2013 to let Moscow bailout Kiev that led to pro-Western protests driving him from power Feb. 22, 2014.

             Blamed for the misguided breakup of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev now serves as a geriatric shill for Putin, justifying Russia?s violations of Ukraine?s sovereignty and territorial integrity.  Putin sees nothing wrong with seizing Crimea after the pro-Western coup toppled Yanukovich while he hosted the Sochi Winter Olympics Feb. 22, 2014.  Putin?s unilateral decision to invade Ukraine has prompted punishing U.S and Brussels-based European Union sanctions that have plunged Moscow into the worst financial crisis since 1998.  Claiming the U.S. ?has drawn us into a new Cold War, trying openly to achieve its main idea of triumphalism,? Gorbachev told Russia?s government Interfax News Agency.  Gorbachev?s still trying to repair his credibility after breaking up the Soviet Union in 1991.  Putin?s left no stone unturned trying to return Russia to its past Soviet glory.

             Gorbachev expects the U.S. and EU to back down, when Putin?s Russian ally Belarus warned Moscow about getting too ambitious.  Vowing not to join the ?Russian world,? Belarus President Alyaksandr Lushashenka warned Putin that Minsk could pull end participation in the Eurasian Economic Union [EEU].  Lushashenka urged Putin in the strongest terms to stop backing pro-Russian separatists in Southeastern Ukraine.  Blaming the U.S. for the current row with Russia, Gorbachev ignores complains about Putin coming from former Soviet satellites.  Belarus, Poland and Baltic States all express concerns about Putin?s ambitions in the wake of annexing Crimea and backing independence of Donbass, Russian-speaking regions of Southeaster Ukraine.  ?Where will that lead all of us?? asked Gorbachev, seeing the new Cold War as leading to possible military confrontation.

             Putting the onus of as potential ?hot? war on the U.S., Gorbachev still apologizing for breaking up the Soviet Union.  Looking back, the Soviet Union couldn?t contain the growing rebellion against its totalitarian rule, driving independence movements in most of the former Soviet republics.  ?Unfortunately I cannot say for sure that a Cold War won?t lead to a ?hot? one.  I fear they could take the risk,? said Gorbachev, not saying who ?they? refers to.  With Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) no heading the Armed Services Committee, there?s pressure on Obama to do more than push for a new round of economic sanctions.  McCain and other hawks on Capitol Hill want to put troops into Ukraine to prevent more deterioration.  EU officials, especially Germany that buys some 30% of its energy from Russia, doesn?t want to push yet for more economic sanctions fearing Putin?s reprisals.

             As the Russian economy deteriorates, Putin has ramped up subversive activities in Southeastern Ukraine.  With little chance of ending U.S. and EU sanctions, the Kremlin has decided to annex the Donbass region, including taking over the port+ of Mariupol to build its land bridge from Russian to Crimea.  Gorbachev, while presiding over glasnost and perestroika in the mid-?80s, is so far out of the loop he only speculates on current geopolitical events.  Last November, Gorbachev stated the obvious, warning about a new ?Cold War,? long after the big chill in U.S-Russian relations.  Gorbachev knows that today?s complaint with Moscow goes beyond the U.S. Cold War with Russia.  EU states and former Soviet satellites have a far bigger ax to grind with the Kremlin than Washington.  Putin likes to sell the Cold War with the U.S. when, in fact, the Crimea and Southeastern Ukraine land grab reshapes Europe.

             Gorbachev blames the U.S. and EU for imposing sanctions on Russia, when, in fact, violating Ukraine?s sovereignty and territorial integrity forced the West?s hands.  ?All you hear is about sanctions towards Russia from America and the European Union.  Have they totally lost their heads?? asked Gorbachev, expecting no consequences for invading a sovereign country.  Russia?s neighboring counties and former satellites all express concerns about Putin?s new aggression.  Gorbachev?s swallowed Putin?s Cool-Aid that Moscow is a victim to a CIA and NATO plot to emasculate Russia and try to depose Putin.  Putin?s blamed the CIA for the Feb. 22 coup that toppled Russian-backed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich.  Blaming the U.S. for sabotaging world oil prices and damaging the Russian economy, Putin looks for any excuse for digging Russia into a deep hole.

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.

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