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Invasion Shows Putin's Clout

Ex-president retains control

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2008 5:49 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Russia’s military campaign in Georgia is a clear signal that Vladimir Putin is neither gone nor forgotten, reports the Wall Street Journal . Domination of the Caucasus region has long been a central tenet of Putin’s foreign policy, and the PM was especially visible this week, supporting the invasion and berating the US. The invasion—both sides have agreed to a cease-fire for the time being—proves Putin will draw a hard, bloody line against NATO expansion.

Russia sees its support of South Ossetia as justified because the West backed independence for Kosovo over strenuous Russian objections. Moscow now calls for like independence for pro-Russian breakaways, but Putin has clear ulterior motives, and the region is worried. “That's why we wanted to be in NATO,” said Estonia’s president. “That's why Georgia wanted to be in NATO. And still does.”

Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting in Vladikavkaz, the provincial capital of the region of North Ossetia that neighbors Georgia's breakaway province of South Ossetia, on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008.
Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting in Vladikavkaz, the provincial capital of the region of North Ossetia that neighbors Georgia's breakaway province of South Ossetia, on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Pool)
Vladimir Putin gestures as he speaks during an interview with the French daily Le Monde in Paris, France, Friday, May 30, 2008.
Vladimir Putin gestures as he speaks during an interview with the French daily Le Monde in Paris, France, Friday, May 30, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Vladimir Putin is seen at a cabinet meeting in Moscow, Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.
Vladimir Putin is seen at a cabinet meeting in Moscow, Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alexei Nikolsky, Pool)
Vladimir Putin is seen at a meeting in Vladikavkaz, the provincial capital of the region of North Ossetia that neighbors Georgia's breakaway province of South Ossetia, on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008.
Vladimir Putin is seen at a meeting in Vladikavkaz, the provincial capital of the region of North Ossetia that neighbors Georgia's breakaway province of South Ossetia, on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Pool)
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Georgia agrees to cease-fire
Wall Street Journal

Obama adviser compares Putin to Hitler
Guardian (UK)

Is this the birth of a new USSR?
Globe and Mail

Russia marks its red lines
Asia Times

Timeline of events in Georgia
Reuters

 
Russia • Vladimir Putin • Georgia • Kosovo • Dmitry Medvedev • former Soviet state • South Ossetia

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