The downing of the Russian bomber the day аfter the forum of gas exporters in Iran and on the eve of the Obama - Hollande meeting can hardly be a coincidence
This post first appeared on Russia Insider
The author is a veteran Russian journalist and founding editor of the investigative newspaper Stringer. He explains how the Turkish provocation could make Europe even more vulnerable to US blackmail.
Originally appeared at Оdnako. Translated by Svetlana Kyrzhaly and Rhod Mackenzie
With just one shot by a Turkish F-16, public opinion that was tilting towards Russia got a ‘reset’. I know it’s bad form to quote yourself, but here is the beginning of my article on the aftermath of the latest terrorist attacks in Paris:
"Barack Obama meets with President Vladimir Putin in the framework of the G-20 summit, and publicly refers to the constructive Russian position on Syria. Francois Hollande announces the entry of France into the war with the Islamic State on the side of Russia. Mass media projects into the public space the theme of a new civilization alliance against the Islamic plague, overshadowing other conflicts such as the Ukraine".
The downing of the Russian aircraft live on television, two parachutes in the sky, Turkey’s request for a special emergency meeting of NATO instead of a dialogue with the Russian Defense Ministry, and the new alliance against the Islamic plague that was to include Russia, may vanish as if it never existed.
Now Russia alone is supporting Assad, while NATO fights for “the right of the Syrian people to a better life”.
The new paradigm was confirmed during this week’s meeting between Hollande and Obama. The two presidents agreed that the main condition for resolving the situation in Syria is the departure of Assad, and there would be no coalition with Russia against the Islamic State. Referring to his mysterious coalition of 65 countries, (includingTurkey), Obama insisted there could be no cooperation with Russia unless it limits its attacks to ISIS. "Blows to the moderate opposition only strengthen the Assad regime, the cruelty of which contributed to the rise of the ISIS”, he claimed, with little regard for the facts.
The downed Su-24M also created doubts about a number of Russian-Turkish agreements, including the ‘Turkish Stream,’ a new gas pipeline under the Black Sea, penned after the EU blocked the South Stream Pipeline, a previous alternative to the transit of Russian gas destined for southern Europe through Ukraine.
Another alternative to a Ukraine pipeline is a new branch of Nord Stream under the Baltic Sea. But this project is subject to the military situation in Donbas and possible new sanctions against Russia.
US companies have invested heavily in Ukraine pipelines, but they’re worthless without Russian gas.
Not to mention that it’s the 6th fleet that ultimately guarantees the EU’s energy security.
Oh, and how will all this affect the signing of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership?
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