The recent confirmation of Russia purchasing two mistral class ships from France is causing terrible mayhem for several NATO countries, Poland, Ukraine, Georgia and of course, United States.
This is the second attempt of Russia to penetrate into the European Union territories. The first one, undoubtedly being the building of Nord Stream, a gas pipeline which will connect Russia to Germany and to the European Union. This $5 Billion deal has been perceived as a means to foster “Energy security in Europe”. But is it really so? The 1224 km pipeline which started in 2005 could have treacherous outcomes.
So, what exactly is troublesome if Russia is filtering into the European Union? The answer lies in the ownership of the final destination. Both, the purchase of the ship and the construction of pipeline would involve the Baltic Sea and the Black sea.
We must not forget that the former Tsarist Russia started building its navy from the Black sea, later causing the Crimea War when Britain and France found about it. Baltic sea, on other hand, has already witnessed stupendous military confrontations with the Germans, Russians, Poles, Danes and Swedes trying to dominate it, every now and then.
Russia’s naval condition
Another interesting fact is that Russia, who once had a very strong naval force is currently facing its doomsday. The situation has declined to such a treacherous degree that Russia is not even able to repair an aircraft career which supposedly was meant for giving to India. Similarly, the decay in military and arms industry is literally forcing Russia to join hands with France.
Russia and Georgia
But the NATO allies are openly coming and showing “concern” over this deal of purchase of the mistral ships. Georgia, which still faces the Russian wrath because of the two breakaway regions- South Ossetia and Abkhazia. These two regions are as disputed between Georgia and Russia as J&K is disputed between India and Pakistan.
Georgia was annexed by Russia in 1921 as as soon as USSR shattered in 1991, Georgia claimed its independence. Though, every now and then, the controversy erupts leading to local wars. Georgia, on one hand is trying very hard to be a member of NATO and European Union.
France supporting Russia
This is where the other twist comes. France, who is selling the ships to Russia, is a member of NATO. So, according to the spirit of “being allies”, France should not be supporting Russia. The reason behind Sarkozy’s honeywoon with Moscow cannot be understood so easily.
That is exactly what George Bush too, used to complain about. But who cares about what Bush said? After all, America never paid attention to France’s open boycott during the war in Iraq in 2003. So, here comes the time to do tit-for-tat.
Russia very frankly is causing a breach in the Non Proliferation Treaty by confirming the tactical use of nuclear weapons in local wars against countries which are do not have access to nuclear arms. All this makes me remember a quote which Charles de Gaulle, a French General once said “I’ve tried to lift France out of the mud,” he wrote. “But she will return to her errors and vomitings. I can’t prevent the French from being French.”
The brighter side
The purchase might prove to be beneficiary for Saint Nazaire where the one of the mistral ships would be constructed. This deal is the first the shipyard has got in three years. Conditions had become so worse that last year, around 350 workers were asked to quit. Therefore, this order by the French Navy is definitely important for the workers making the ship.
France’s previous support
NATO definitely has been a threat to Russia, right from day one. But what might sound a little supportive is the fact that France also knows how to play against her own arms. In the Falklands War in 1982, between UK and Argentina, France came to the rescue. She provided dissimilar aircraft training which allowed the pilots to train against the French aircrafts which France had once sold to Argentina.
In a nutshell, what matters is the outcome of the purchase and its military usage. Anyways, this purchase marks the first business deal which Russia is striking with the Western World after the end of second world war.
P.S: So much of politics makes me wonder why the Third world war has not started yet.
shubhdachaudhary 