'West must not isolate Russia'

2008-08-27 21:22

Anya Tsukanova

Kiev - British Foreign Secretary David Miliband called on Russia to change course on Wednesday but acknowledged that Western attempts to isolate Moscow over its actions in Georgia would be counterproductive.

On a visit to Ukraine, Miliband urged Kiev "not to provide any pretext" for Russia to take action against the former Soviet republic, which has sided with Georgia in its confrontation with Moscow.

The appeal was an apparent reference to tensions over Ukraine's demands that Russia prepare a withdrawal of its Black Sea fleet from the southern Ukrainian port of Sevastopol.

West needs Russia

Miliband said that the West relies on cooperation with Moscow to tackle global problems like climate change and nuclear non-proliferation.

"Isolation is not feasible - Russia is too enmeshed in the world economy. It would be counter-productive," he said.

The West must bolster its allies in the stand-off with Russia over the Georgia conflict, Miliband said, restating NATO's position that Ukraine should eventually join the organisation.

"Once Ukraine fulfils the criteria, it should be accepted as a full member, and we should help you get there," he said in an address to university students.

But Britain would not support calls for expelling Russia from the Group of Eight club of rich nations or for EU-Russia and NATO-Russia relations to be broken.

Russia has been roundly condemned for its decision to recognise as independent nations South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two regions at the heart of the conflict that erupted this month in Georgia.

Onus on Medvedev

"Russia needs to change course," said the Foreign Secretary.

Miliband put the onus on Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to prevent an escalation in the war of words between the West and Moscow.

"The Russian president says he is not afraid of a new Cold War. We don't want one," Miliband said.

"He has a big responsibility not to start one," he added.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said Russia's recognition of the independence of the two Georgian regions threatened peace and stability in neighbouring states and throughout Europe.

South Ossetia and Abkhazia are both internationally recognized as part of Georgia even though they broke away from Tbilisi in the 1990s, with Moscow's backing.

- AFP