Relations with Russia: Obama's new hardness plunges Europe into the dilemma

When U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets the EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, the two as a pair rehearsed act – as it did when crisis summit with Ukraine in Geneva, as they unanimously the transition agreement explained, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov grumpy alone appeared before the press.

But behind the scenes there is not much to feel harmony. With concern the Europeans observe a new roadmap in Washington. This is: radio silence with Moscow. In Geneva was to hear from the U.S. delegation, skepticism about Russia is now overwhelmingly large – and the attempt to revive relations with Moscow, the ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2011 was concerned with great vigor, belong to the past. “We trust Putin simply no longer on the road,” it said.

Hard Course in Washington

Peter Baker, broadly networked Rapporteur of the “New York Times “, goes even further. The White House, writes Baker, meanwhile, was now in line to the maxims of the legendary U.S. diplomat George Kennan . This data set in the forties the blueprint for the Cold War: containment of the Soviet Union instead of dialogue. In a similar way Washington hardliners now want to isolate Putin and Russia openly challenge – starting with the nomination of a new U.S. ambassador to Moscow, who was previously stationed among others in Ukraine

Should Moscow violate provisions of the Geneva Conventions what Washington on Monday disputed evidence submitted , also further U.S. sanctions against Putin adviser be prepared. Fiona Hill, Russia expert at the Brookings Institution in Washington and author of a widely acclaimed Putin Biography says: “In the future, the U.S. price will be much harder.”

So Washington is opposed to European voices that continue to rely on dialogue . In Geneva Catherine Ashton little doubt that she has not given up hope for a diplomatic solution. In addition, some European countries scare unchanged before comprehensive economic sanctions and open confrontation back . skepticism in Europe

Also in Germany is resistance: “I see the tough new American approach with great concern, because in the long term there is no stability without a reasonable relationship to Russia, “says the SPD foreign policy Niels Annen . “We must be careful not to commit a long term policy, which ultimately harms all.” Some in NATO seems even the Geneva Agreement, not to fit, so Annen.

Alexander Graf Lambsdorff , FDP leadership candidate in the European elections and experienced transatlanticist also promotes dialogue: “We need to talk to Russia, not less . “

From Brussels Commission circles can be heard, Putin had indeed isolated internationally through their own fault, because he simply was not a trustworthy partner. However, the Americans could easily talk about in terms of sanctions: they are economically far less dependent on Russia than Europe, a tough course she would not come to be so expensive. Similar tones already hit Europe Heads of State and Government at their summit meeting in March, when she denied herself behind closed doors against too impetuous demands from Washington.

But Obama’s change of course is also so radically, because the U.S. foreign policy has long been domestically again. Republican throw his government too much understanding for Russia before. And Hillary Clinton, who is considering a presidential bid still in 2016, already tried foreign policy profiling by hardness. The Democrat compared Putin’s actions in the Crimea did with Hitler’s policies A Washington Clinton Kenner says. “She knows exactly: When Russia-Versteherin is determined not win the next choice. “

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Relations with Russia: Obama's new hardness plunges Europe into the dilemma