Putin the Athenian

The reasons for patience and for taking the long view are already being offered: there are too many important issues on which Russia8217;s cooperation is critical, pushing it into a corner will only strengthen its authoritarianism and bellicosity, the better course is to practice patient diplomacy, and so on.

8230;Russia8217;s behavior in this instance is the norm, not the exception: Great powers impose their will on weaker neighbours and limit their freedom of action 8212; all the time.

Airy discourses about the commerce-driven dynamics of globalization and new norms of international conduct will not vanquish realpolitik. Just as other powerful states have done, Russia will be persistent in preventing weak neighbours that it considers to be part of its legitimate sphere of influence from forging links with its adversaries; the means used will vary, but not the ends. In today8217;s Russia, Vladimir Putin personifies this policy, but it reflects deeper realities rooted in balance of power politics. 8230;Utterly unsentimental and thoroughly cynical, Putin understands the arithmetic of power. In attacking a small and weak state located across Russia8217;s border he did not take any big risks; and he bet that the West wouldn8217;t either.

Excerpted from a comment by Rajan Menon in the 8220;International Herald Tribune8221;