No. 79 - 'After my election I have more flexibility'

Institute for Western Affairs' Bulletin (No. 79/2012): prof. Jadwiga Kiwerska - 'After my election I have more flexibility' 

 

In the short and “truly sincere” exchange between Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, that the public opinion was not supposed to hear, the American President stated in hushed voice, that after successful reelection he will have “more space” when it comes to the missile defense system. This may evoke various reflections concerning the American-Russian relations and the possible scenarios of their evolution. The saddest reflection, however, pertains to the credibility of the American President, who hid his true intentions from his allies, but revealed them to Russia – which is, in general, more of a rival than an ally to the USA.  The overheard fragment of the discussion of the two leaders indicates, that after reelection the old/new President Obama will find a solution to the contentious issue of the installation of a missile defense system in Europe: “On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it’s important for him  [Vladimir Putin] to give me space”, said Obama. It is hard not to get the impression, that these solutions will be suitable mainly for Moscow, but not necessarily for  certain European allies, including Poland, on whose territory some element of the missile defense system were supposed to be installed (from 2018 Poland is supposed to have an  Aegis missile battery).