"Little funny left": a NATO official spoke about relations with Russia
Last week, in Brussels, from December 4 to 5, 2018, a meeting of the heads of the foreign affairs agencies of the NATO countries was held. The main topics for discussion were the INF Treaty and criticism of Russia. Moreover, the accusations of Russia are traditional from the moment this “peace-loving” bloc was formed, and the end of the Cold War did not affect this process.
But Gazeta.Ru the opinion of a NATO official, who is well aware of what is happening in NATO and is well acquainted with Russian specifics, became interesting. This is the former head of the Alliance’s information bureau in Moscow, Robert Pschel, who now works as NATO’s senior adviser on Russia and the Western Balkans. He agreed to answer numerous questions of the publication.
From the interview it follows that the new doctrine of Brussels in relation to Moscow was "protection, deterrence and dialogue." After all, NATO allies, who are afraid of Russia, are asking for exactly that.
According to Pshel, dialogue is the most important part and meetings between the Russia-NATO Council and military communications play a fundamental role. NATO is also pleased when Russian journalists arrive, although Brussels does not expect pleasant articles from them. NATO very much appreciates any opportunity to meet, talk and argue (even emotionally) with experts from Russia.
Pshel does not believe that Russia is threatening anyone with missiles and needs a confrontation. He considers the Skripals case to be absurd, as well as the charges of cyber attacks. However, he is sure that Russia needs to change its image. By the way, Pshel is a famous collector of Soviet cartoons from the Cold War.
He specified that not a week goes by in the EU and NATO parliaments so that Russia and its actions in Syria, Montenegro, the Baltic countries or Ukraine are not discussed there. And he does not enjoy such discussions. Resist problems and solve them better together.
Pshel emphasized that there are countries geographically close to Russia that have reasons for concern. And Russia needs to make twice as much effort to convince its potential partners of peace, to restore confidence. However, today it is difficult to name a country of the EU or NATO, which sees in Russia more dangers than potential opportunities for cooperation. This is if we talk about the picture as a whole.
In his opinion, Russia has a serious impact on the international security system. And although she has a strong army and a large territory, she cannot exist on her own, since the world is organized differently. He added that there are 29 countries in NATO, and this suggests that decisions are made by consensus. Although he is sorry that the image was created, as if NATO only harms Russia, and the allies are exclusively arguing among themselves.
When asked if he misses Moscow, Pshel answered that there really is nostalgia. He was always interested in what is happening in Russia, literature, new films. And when they asked him the question, what kind of caricature would he draw, he answered, “honestly, there are no ideas, there is little funny left.”
But Gazeta.Ru the opinion of a NATO official, who is well aware of what is happening in NATO and is well acquainted with Russian specifics, became interesting. This is the former head of the Alliance’s information bureau in Moscow, Robert Pschel, who now works as NATO’s senior adviser on Russia and the Western Balkans. He agreed to answer numerous questions of the publication.
From the interview it follows that the new doctrine of Brussels in relation to Moscow was "protection, deterrence and dialogue." After all, NATO allies, who are afraid of Russia, are asking for exactly that.
According to Pshel, dialogue is the most important part and meetings between the Russia-NATO Council and military communications play a fundamental role. NATO is also pleased when Russian journalists arrive, although Brussels does not expect pleasant articles from them. NATO very much appreciates any opportunity to meet, talk and argue (even emotionally) with experts from Russia.
Pshel does not believe that Russia is threatening anyone with missiles and needs a confrontation. He considers the Skripals case to be absurd, as well as the charges of cyber attacks. However, he is sure that Russia needs to change its image. By the way, Pshel is a famous collector of Soviet cartoons from the Cold War.
He specified that not a week goes by in the EU and NATO parliaments so that Russia and its actions in Syria, Montenegro, the Baltic countries or Ukraine are not discussed there. And he does not enjoy such discussions. Resist problems and solve them better together.
Pshel emphasized that there are countries geographically close to Russia that have reasons for concern. And Russia needs to make twice as much effort to convince its potential partners of peace, to restore confidence. However, today it is difficult to name a country of the EU or NATO, which sees in Russia more dangers than potential opportunities for cooperation. This is if we talk about the picture as a whole.
In his opinion, Russia has a serious impact on the international security system. And although she has a strong army and a large territory, she cannot exist on her own, since the world is organized differently. He added that there are 29 countries in NATO, and this suggests that decisions are made by consensus. Although he is sorry that the image was created, as if NATO only harms Russia, and the allies are exclusively arguing among themselves.
When asked if he misses Moscow, Pshel answered that there really is nostalgia. He was always interested in what is happening in Russia, literature, new films. And when they asked him the question, what kind of caricature would he draw, he answered, “honestly, there are no ideas, there is little funny left.”
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