| Synopsis: |
With Russia's increasingly assertive foreign policy, the Committee decided upon the inquiry, "Russia: A New Confrontation (HC 276)", encapsulating the uncertain relations between the West and Russia. The Russian State is a major player on the world stage: it exerts significant influence over international and European affairs that affect UK security and interests. Russia does this not only through its still significant military capability but also through a range of other levers such as the use of energy as a foreign policy tool. Russia does not currently pose a direct threat to UK homeland security, nor is likely to do so in the near future, but it is understandable that some of Russia's neighbouring states should feel concerned about the possibility of Russian military action against them given Russia's actions in Georgia. Consequentially, NATO has an important role in reassuring its Eastern European members about their security. The military actions by Russia and Georgia were unacceptable. The Government should send a strong message to Russia that it needs to withdraw its military forces from Georgian territory to its pre-conflict positions.NATO's relations with Russia are critical as there are many shared global challenges that are best addressed jointly such as tackling terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation and climate change. The Committee welcomes the resumption of formal engagement between NATO and Russia on the NATO-Russia Council but there needs to be honest dialogue on areas of disagreement as well as agreement. The Government should encourage the Council to be used as a forum to discuss difficult strategic issues, as well as areas where cooperation is easier. Relations between Russia and the West are complex and characterised by mutual dependency. Russia needs the goodwill of the international community to maintain its strong international trading links. The West needs Russia's cooperation to tackle many shared global challenges. However, cooperation should not come at the price of accepting the legitimacy of a Russian sphere of influence, though it has valid interests in the countries that surround it, undue influence would risk compromising the sovereignty of these states.This would be against the UK's national interests as European security is enhanced by having stable democratic and independent states across Europe. The Government should adopt a hardheaded approach to engagement with Russia based on the reality of Russia's foreign policy rather than abstract and misleading notions of shared values. |