Feb 08 2009
Russia has no sphere of influence - says US
The US administration has recently rejected the concept of the sphere of influence of Russia. Russia had been making claims that some neighboring countries which had originated after the disintegration of the Soviet Union were subject to approval of Russia in their internal as well as external affairs.
But Joseph Biden the Vice President of the United States said “We will not agree with Russia on everything,” . “For example, the United States will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. We will not recognize a sphere of influence. It will remain our view that sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances.”
Russia has been blamed by the officials of the Obama administration for forcing Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic, to close the U.S. military base in that country. The US needs that military base as this is the only land supply route to their troupes based in Afghanistan.
But Russia has all rights to be concerned for the US building bases around its territories and can use what ever influence they have with their neighbours. Blaming Russia for what Kyrgyzstan decides is not the right thing to do.
America is again trying to overshadow Russia over the issues of Missile defence program which Russia has been opposing vehemently. This is another issue that the Obama administration needs to think over again if they want cordial relations with Russia.
