Alexei Vlasov: "The issue of joint use of Qabala radar station has definitely lost its urgency"

- Was the agreement of Poland and Czechia for dislocation of US missile defense elements on their territories expected?

- The agreement was quite expected.

But both Prague and Warsaw should have taken into account the unambiguous perception of this issue inside their countries, held strong propaganda, coordinated the issue with opposition, traded with Washington as to bonuses and preferences and only them agreed. Poles were especially successful in this deal. Anyway, Americans used counter-methods, such as involvement of the Lithuanian factor into the negotiation process. It was just a business.

- Is the United States sincere in saying that these elements in Poland and Czechia are targeted against Iran, but not Russia?

- This topic is connected with the general crisis of trust between the countries, but not a private issue on missile defense elements. Why should Russia trust Washington fully? Weren't all persuasions of the State Department false in case with Iraq and Afghanistan? Iranian issue is used as a propaganda weapon when necessary and when not. And if the new administration will change its position on this issue, who will fulfill the old promises? There are more questions than answers.

- How will Moscow react to this step of eastern neighbors and former partners in the socialist camp?

- I think the Kremlin has not yet formed the final script. Presently, the new Russian president continues to use Putin's tough methods, intended more for Europe than for America, for it is clear that Washington will not yield. It is important for Medvedev to gain more propagandistic points in this counteraction. In the principle, he copes with it. The next question is: will we take the next round of confrontation as a response measure. I am not sure we will.

- Has the issue of US-Russian joint use of Qabala radar station in Azerbaijan lost its urgency?

- I think yes. Well, from the very beginning, Washington's interest was just registered, but not reflected in any forms.

/Day.Az/