Building on its victory in Ukraine, Russia is now retaliating against the EU.

Russia has achieved a near-total victory in Ukraine, with its only remaining "wound" being Western sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the American magazine Forbes, Russia will have no difficulty healing this wound itself.

Building on the victory in Ukraine

According to Forbes, in a rare and blunt accusation against Russia recently regarding the situation in Ukraine, President Barack Obama stated: "Russia is responsible for the violence in eastern Ukraine, violence that Russia has instigated. Russia is training separatists. Russia is arming separatists. Russia is financially supporting separatists."

But now Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding the lifting of US and Western sanctions, the only measures imposed on Russia due to the situation in Ukraine so far, arguing that Russia is now acting as a mediator, bringing peace to eastern Ukraine.

Forbes argues that, ironically, Putin's argument has shaken the West's position.

On September 12, the European Union (EU) reversed its previously firm stance that Russia has no right to interfere in Ukraine's affairs. The EU announced a one-year postponement of a comprehensive trade agreement with Ukraine. Although the EU later realized its mistake and reiterated its request for Russia not to interfere in bilateral agreements, it was unable to salvage the situation. Moscow succeeded, at least in postponing the agreement for 12 months.

Forbes suggests that the EU seems to think it needs to offer further incentives to the Kremlin to implement all the terms of the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine signed on September 5th, without realizing that surrendering to Russian demands is no small matter.

Russia has completed the annexation of Crimea, and the people of Crimea now have Russian passports. According to Western allegations, there are still many Russian soldiers in Ukraine, and thousands more are stationed at the border, ready to infiltrate Ukraine at any time.

Putin has confronted the West twice—by annexing Crimea and invading eastern Ukraine—and won both times. So there's no doubt that Putin will continue to act and win in the future? After everything that has happened in Ukraine, it seems that none of figures like French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, US President Barack Obama, and NATO can stop Putin.

Putin's only failure is the sanctions that are hurting the Russian economy. However, Putin will undoubtedly find ways, with little difficulty for Russia, to remove these measures. He will resort to threats, relentless propaganda, military exercises, and especially the use of energy weapons that European countries depend on to free Russia from these constraints.

EU counterattack

Russia's campaign against sanctions and counterattacks against the West is divided into several parts.

Not only is Russia waging a campaign against sanctions, but it is also seeking to retaliate against the West in various ways.

Russia's campaign against sanctions and counterattacks against the West is divided into several parts.

Firstly, Russia is a "mediator" in eastern Ukraine, so imposing sanctions on Moscow is illogical and unjust. During his recent trip to Mongolia, Putin said: "I cannot understand the reason behind these latest sanctions."

Secondly, Russia is using gas as a weapon to demoralize and divide Europe, leaving many European countries wondering whether it is worthwhile to impose sanctions on Russia that could disrupt gas supplies.

On September 27, the Wall Street Journal quoted a warning from Russia that if the Ukraine gas deal is not resolved before winter, Europe will face a cold snap.

Third, use NATO's actions towards Ukraine to make the Baltic and Eastern European countries doubt NATO's protective shield and advise them to side with the winning party before it's too late.

According to Forbes, Russia's message is: "If you think you'll be safe hiding behind Article 5 of NATO, think again. NATO won't help you when you're in crisis." Putin declared that Russia could defeat NATO with tactical nuclear weapons. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that NATO's rapid reaction force, newly formed at the recent summit in Wales, would take weeks to mobilize.

Russia wants the Baltic states to understand that if they oppose Russian interests, Russia can continue to use the pretext of protecting the ethnic Russian majority in these countries to take action.

Forbes quoted a recent statement by a Russian Foreign Ministry official as saying: “We (Russia) want to ensure that our Russian compatriots, wherever they live, are guaranteed rights and freedoms in accordance with international standards... We will do everything we can to protect their rights and interests.”

Source: Infonet