Russia could sever NATO ties

Source: The Australian

RUSSIA could end all co-operation with NATO if the alliance moved to grant Georgia membership, Moscow's NATO envoy indicated today in comments carried by state news agency RIA Novosti.

"From a moral-political point of view, accepting Georgia to MAP would look like NATO moving to the side of the aggressor," Dmitry Rogozin said, referring to proposals to grant Georgia NATO's Membership Action Plan (MAP) status.

"It is one thing for the US to back their protege, and another thing entirely to provide refuge to the aggressor country. What kind of (Russia-NATO) co-operation can you talk about in this case? None!" Mr Rogozin was quoted as saying.

A top US administration official said today that Washington was confident Georgia would join NATO and that Russia's incursion into the ex-Soviet state last month had increased its chances.

Read more: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24317130-12377,00.html

A weak America is better for them

pretty much to contain Russia? Ok, technically the USSR, but that consisted of Russia and countries dominated by Russia. Seems odd that a lack of cooperation between the two would be considered an issue.

in November. I don't think even Putin is that crazy. I think they'll hold off till after the elections and see what kind of better deal they can get.

We can't stop them from doing anything, so I expect them to start swallowing the former USSR members soon. This was just the saying "Don't bother to try and fence us in this time- we'll just roll over your borders."

:P