U.S. Vice President Joe Biden inspects the guard of honour upon his arrival an airport in Kiev, July 20, 2009. Biden visited Ukraine on Monday to reassure its leaders Washington had not forgotten the ex-Soviet state, following President Barack Obama's push to improve ties with neighbouring Russia. (REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)From American Thinker:
It's really amazing how soon the Obama administration's chickens are coming home to roost. They made a big deal out of finding a "reset" button for U.S.-Russia relations. They wanted to reject what they saw as George W. Bush's truculence over the Russian invasion of Georgia last summer. So they went out of their way to send a message to Russia that they wanted a new beginning in their relations with Moscow.
Well, they've gotten it. London's prestigious Financial Times reports that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has sent a tough "ultimatum" to Ukraine's leadership.
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My Comment: In the past few months the Obama administration has made a number of tactical and public relations mistakes with Russia. President Obama's remarks about Putin's mindset being stuck in the cold war, Vice President Biden's comments that the Russians will ultimately bend to the U.S. when the Russian economy/society collapses .....all of these "mis-steps" have only served to question (in Russia's eyes) American intent and sincerity to foster a new relationship with Russia.
President Bush and the Russian Government did not see "eye to eye" on many things, but both sides respected each other .... and they kept their criticism private. The Russian reaction to President Obama has been the reverse .... even to the point of having Moscow University students refusing to shake President Obama's hand when he had finished a major address in their main campus.
This lack of respect has percolated into the Russian Government, a dangerous development when one considers problems like the Ukraine now coming to a head. U.S. reaction and diplomacy are not going to be taken seriously by the Russians. The Russians will position themselves to be accommodating on missile defense, maybe Iran, and permitting the transit of supplies to Afghanistan. But on the central issue of countries like the Ukraine, the Baltic states, and the Caucasus ... the message to the U.S. is clear .... stay out.