Like people the world over, the Russians are puzzling over how much attention to pay to the utterances of our own vice president, Joe Biden.
Days ago, Vice President Biden gave what was, from a Russian perspective, an insulting if not alarming interview with the Wall Street Journal, during which he said that Russia is so weak that it would ‘bend’ to America’s will.
This article from Russia’s Moskovskij Komsomolets looks at his comments – and Hillary Clinton’s apparent ‘correction’ of them – to try and figure out what it all means.
One of those consulted was Fyodor Lukyanov, chief editor of Russia in Global Affairs, who said in part:
“With regard to Biden’s remarks, he’s known as a man, roughly speaking and to put it bluntly, with a loose tongue. He says a lot of things that the administration wished he wouldn’t. These remarks show the absence of a single line in America’s policy with regard to Russia. Obama’s visit was one of reconnaissance, from which he drew his conclusions, and someone else [Biden] – his own. I would focus more on Hillary Clinton’s views.”
By Andrew Yashlavsky
Translated By Yekaterina Blinova
July 28, 2009
Russia – Moskovskij Komsomolets – Original Article (Russian)
“A weakened Russia will bend to the United States” and “We view Russia as a great power.” The first sentence belongs to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. The second, to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The time difference between when they were made is merely a couple of days.
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