Sergei Ivanov Threatens U.S. but Frightens Europe

Kommersant. Washington criticized on Friday Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov for the threats to deploy missiles in Russia's Kaliningrad region if the U.S. makes no concessions in the missile defense issue. The U.S. Department of State and the White House made it clear that ultimatums do not help solve the dispute. It might mean the U.S. is ready to come to terms with Russia, but on conditions different from those suggested by Moscow. Meanwhile, Ivanov’s threats alarmed Europe.

Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Wednesday in Uzbekistan: “If the United States accepts our offers, we will no longer need to deploy more missiles in Russia’s European part, including Kaliningrad.”

The threat came as a surprise to the West, because Russia had been making various offers to the U.S. so as to reach compromise in the missile defense dispute. In fact, the Kremlin had suggested creating a collective missile defense system, asking the White House to give up its plans of deploying radars in Poland and the Czech Republic, and to use Russia’s radars instead.

Washington officials criticized Ivanov’s statement. However, their criticism was rather moderate, which might be a sign that the U.S. is gradually deciding to seek compromise with Russia. Yet, the U.S. is not ready yet to give up its plans for Poland and the Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, Ivanov’s threat alarmed Europe. The countries bordering Kaliningrad region objected more than others. “We do not approve of such intentions, and we will protest,” said Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas.

Europe believes the U.S. and NATO should hurry up to reach agreement with Vladimir Putin before March 2008, when a new president will be elected in Russia. European officials think it is easier for the West to find compromise with Putin than with his successor, for instance Ivanov. For the sake of it, Europe thinks the West could make some concessions to Russia.

That might be the reaction the Kremlin wanted.