Putin delivers for the former KGB

Russian President Vladimir Putin certainly surprised many at the 43rd Munich Security Conference by re-evoking echoes of the Cold War. Despite Washington's swift attempt to play down the impact of Putin's speech, the Kremlin chose the time to unveil a hardline foreign policy with considerable care.

While Putin's speech contained little actual new content, it was the strong tone that was significant, not to mention the intended audience. Moscow's renewed confidence, underpinned by enormous oil and gas revenues, have altered the rules of the game and Putin is keen to make it clear that Moscow no longer regards the US as an ally.

The reality is that the period when Moscow was willing to be a partner in the US-led war on terrorism is over. A much more important issue is the extent to which the Russian administration will be willing to use its veto as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to thwart US objectives, particularly in respect of further action against Iran over its nuclear programme and the endorsement of the so-called 'final status' arrangements for Kosovo's political future. After Putin's performance in Munich, the chances of achieving a workable settlement on either issue via the UN appear bleak.

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© 2007 Jane's Information Group
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